Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The 100 Yen shop model looked in danger when inflation began to bite and labour costs surged but the sector continues to expand</li>
<li>Their fixed price model meant there was little leeway to offset higher costs through higher prices but a survey shows 90% of respondents visited a Daiso store recently.</li>
<li>While Daiso has adapted quickly and looks to have a bright future, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seria-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12989:1" rel="noopener">Seria Co Ltd (2782 JP)</a> refuses to adapt and has seen profits plummet.</li>
</ul>


The 100 Yen shop model looked in danger when inflation began to bite and labour costs surged but the sector continues to expand
Their fixed price model meant there was little leeway to offset higher costs through higher prices but a survey shows 90% of respondents visited a Daiso store recently.
While Daiso has adapted quickly and looks to have a bright future, Seria Co Ltd (2782 JP) refuses to adapt and has seen profits plummet.


100 Yen Shops to Hit ¥1 Trillion This Year but Seria's Model Squeezing Profits

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>In May 2022, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yamada-denki-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:641:1" rel="noopener">Yamada Denki (9831 JP)</a> announced a very large buyback. GINORMOUS - in fact - at 23.9% of shares out ex-Treasury if maximum shares were bought.</li>
<li>So far, YDH is 83.5% through, and at the recent pace, they will end it 8 May having bought 183-184mm shares (21.9% of TSO) spending 86.6% of funds allocated.</li>
<li>That's why the announcement lowering the March 2023 div to ¥12/share vs ¥18/share last year was just weird. And bodes badly. We need a lightbulb moment for a lightbulb dilemma.</li>
</ul>


In May 2022, Yamada Denki (9831 JP) announced a very large buyback. GINORMOUS - in fact - at 23.9% of shares out ex-Treasury if maximum shares were bought.
So far, YDH is 83.5% through, and at the recent pace, they will end it 8 May having bought 183-184mm shares (21.9% of TSO) spending 86.6% of funds allocated.
That's why the announcement lowering the March 2023 div to ¥12/share vs ¥18/share last year was just weird. And bodes badly. We need a lightbulb moment for a lightbulb dilemma.


Yamada Denki (9831) Buyback Almost Done and Odd Dividend "Cut", and a Lightbulb Dilemma

<ul>
<li>With 3.5 months left in the dataset, the data is pretty close to settled. The interesting bits are elsewhere. There are three auto DELETEs and two auto ADDs. Maybe.</li>
<li>One auto-ADD is Toshiba, which may have a deal on it. That leaves two to add for sector balance. That could be Nitori (9843 JP) and Zozo (3092 JP).</li>
<li>Friday's move on Fast Retailing brings in the issue of the new capping function. That would be a different US$2bn selldown. Lots of gory details here. </li>
</ul>


With 3.5 months left in the dataset, the data is pretty close to settled. The interesting bits are elsewhere. There are three auto DELETEs and two auto ADDs. Maybe.
One auto-ADD is Toshiba, which may have a deal on it. That leaves two to add for sector balance. That could be Nitori (9843 JP) and Zozo (3092 JP).
Friday's move on Fast Retailing brings in the issue of the new capping function. That would be a different US$2bn selldown. Lots of gory details here. 


Nikkei 225 Sep 2023 Rebalance Gets Interestinger - Possible Fast Retailing Cap and Zozo Stretch

<ul>
<li>Adastria is on a roll, capturing more market share in both the core apparel market as well as through licensing (Forever 21) and home decoration and other lifestyle markets.</li>
<li>Until now, it has focused on slightly premium mass markets but a new chain will face Uniqlo and Muji head on in apparel basics.</li>
<li>It is also adding a new basics chain in home decoration and hoovering up contracts to supply apparel to chain stores. </li>
</ul>


Adastria is on a roll, capturing more market share in both the core apparel market as well as through licensing (Forever 21) and home decoration and other lifestyle markets.
Until now, it has focused on slightly premium mass markets but a new chain will face Uniqlo and Muji head on in apparel basics.
It is also adding a new basics chain in home decoration and hoovering up contracts to supply apparel to chain stores. 


Adastria Takes on Uniqlo and Muji with New Chain

Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>OVERSEAS. US Equities rise, defying higher yields and further yield curve inversion;  Fed's Bostic out again - talking of a summer pause; Telsa Day: Musk's Master Plan lacking details</li>
<li>JAPAN. NKY Futs +0.7% vs Cash; USDJPY Weakens to ¥136.8 on stronger USD;  Expectations rise  BOJ Policy Change in June;  Invidual invetors shifting to risk assets; Strong Retail SSS </li>
<li>NUGGET:Japan Video Streaming Wars: U-Next(9418) well positioned to flourish as consolidation kicks off in earnest.</li>
</ul>


OVERSEAS. US Equities rise, defying higher yields and further yield curve inversion;  Fed's Bostic out again - talking of a summer pause; Telsa Day: Musk's Master Plan lacking details
JAPAN. NKY Futs +0.7% vs Cash; USDJPY Weakens to ¥136.8 on stronger USD;  Expectations rise  BOJ Policy Change in June;  Invidual invetors shifting to risk assets; Strong Retail SSS 
NUGGET:Japan Video Streaming Wars: U-Next(9418) well positioned to flourish as consolidation kicks off in earnest.


Good Morning Japan |Equities DEFY Yield Rise; Tesla Master Plan-Details Absent; NUGGET: U-Next(9418)

Japan

J. FRONT RETAILING CO., Ltd. is a holding company established through the merger of Daimaru and Matsuzakaya.  J. FRONT RETAILING operates department stores and supermarkets. The Company also manages subsidiaries which operate in wholesale businesses.

Takashimaya Company, Limited., founded in Kyoto in 1831, operates department stores.  The Company's main stores are located in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Takashimaya also operates department stores in Paris, France, Singapore, China, Australia, and New York, USA.  The Company retails clothing, foods, art objects, sundry goods, and household utensils.  The Company also operates restaurants.

MARUI GROUP CO., LTD. operates department stores which sell clothing, accessories, home appliances, and food stuffs.  The Company also provides consumer loan services.  Marui Group operates in the Tokyo area.

H2O RETAILING CORPORATION founded in Osaka in 1929, operates railway terminal department stores.  The Company's main store is located at Hankyu terminal in Umeda (Osaka) and sells clothing, foods, sundry goods, furniture, and household utensils.  H2O Retailing also operates restaurants and coffee shops.

Mercari, Inc. operates as an electronic commercial company. The Company offers electronic commercial software, operation management, marketing planning, and other marketplace services. Mercari serves customers worldwide.

Seria Co., Ltd. operates 100 yen chain stores nationwide.   The Company also operates franchise business.  Seria's main product line includes household goods and snacks.

IZUMI CO., LTD. operates shopping centers mainly in the Chugoku area, selling food products, clothing, and household utensils.  The Company also operates real estate business and credit card services.

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. is a holding company established through a merger of Mitsukoshi and Isetan. The group operates department stores nationwide, selling clothing, foods, household goods, cosmetics and general merchandise.

FUJI CO., LTD. operates shopping center chain mainly in the Shikoku and the Chugoku regions.  The Company mainly sells foodstuffs, clothing, and sundry goods.  Fuji also operates home entertainment stores, BACH, which sells books, CDs, videos, and video games.  The Company also operates sports fitness centers. The Company provides credit card service.

Kintetsu Department Store Co., Ltd. operates department stores mainly in Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, and other Kansai prefectures. The Company sells clothing, foods, as well as other household items. Kintetsu Department Store also operates restaurants.

Harvey Norman Holdings Limited is a holding company for companies and trusts in a third party franchise agreement. The franchises operate stores under the name "Harvey Norman Discounts," selling home wares and electrical goods. The Company also provides advisory and advertising to the franchises. In addition, the Company provides consumer finance and has property investments.

Hainan Island Construction Co Ltd.  is a property development company. The Company also operates regional malls and hotels.

Guangzhou Friendship Group Co., Ltd operates supermarkets and department stores in Guangzhou, China.  The Company sells a variety of consumer products, including apparel, food and beverages, electronics, jewelry, cosmetics, and electric appliances.  Guangzhou Friendship also leases real estate properties.

Guangzhou Friendship Group Co, Ltd. (000987 CH)

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. operates a chain of retail stores that offers brand name products at discounted and closeout prices. The Company provides products, including housewares, food, books and stationery, bed and bath, floor coverings, toys, and hardware.

Ollie'S Bargain Outlet Holdings (OLLI US)

Macy's, Inc. operates department stores in the United States.  The Company also operates direct mail catalog and electronic commerce subsidiaries. Macy's retail stores sell a wide range of merchandise, including men's, women's and children's apparel and accessories, cosmetics, home furnishings and other consumer goods.

Nordstrom, Inc. is a fashion retailer of apparel, shoes, and accessories for men, women, and children.  The Company operates through multiple retail channels, discount stores, boutiques, catalogs, and on the Internet. Nordstrom, Inc. also offers, through a subsidiary, private label card credit and debit cards.

B&M European Value Retail S.A. operates as a general merchandise discount retailer. The Company sells products ranging electronics to home goods.

Canadian Tire Corporation Limited is a family of businesses that includes a retail segment, a financial services division and CT REIT. The Company's retail business provides Canadians with products for life in Canada across its living, playing, fixing, automotive and seasonal categories. Canadian Tire Corporation's  retail products include casual, industrial and active wear.

PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk operates as an e-commerce platform. The Company offers mobility, food delivery, logistics, e-commerce, and financial technology solutions. GoTo Gojek Tokopedia serves customers in Indonesia.

Central Retail Corp Ltd operates general merchandise stores. The Company offers electronics, sports, stationery, home improvement, and office products. Central Retail serves customers in Thailand.

RYOHIN KEIKAKU CO., LTD. is a retailer and wholesaler of Mujirushi Ryohin brand products, which were originally a generic private-brand product.  The Company's product line includes knitwear, food, and household items

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Ryohin Keikaku (7453 JP)

100 Yen Shops to Hit ¥1 Trillion This Year but Seria's Model Squeezing Profits

Seria has always extracted the highest profits from the 100 Yen sector even as its larger competitor, Daiso, grew faster. Now, with labour and...

Michael Causton

Yamada Denki (9831) Buyback Almost Done and Odd Dividend "Cut", and a Lightbulb Dilemma

Yamada Denki/Holdings is cheap. It is 8x earnings and 0.55x book. And that is AFTER a GINORMOUS buyback which has been disappointing. Now the...

Travis Lundy

Nikkei 225 Sep 2023 Rebalance Gets Interestinger - Possible Fast Retailing Cap and Zozo Stretch

The Sep 2023 Nikkei 225 Review is changing shape. Toshiba deal is announced, which pushes two of three ADDs outside the top 75 - sector balance...

Travis Lundy

Adastria Takes on Uniqlo and Muji with New Chain

Adastria is on a roll, expanding brands in Japan's rebounding clothing market. While in the long-term there is not much room for the apparel market...

Michael Causton

Good Morning Japan |Equities DEFY Yield Rise; Tesla Master Plan-Details Absent; NUGGET: U-Next(9418)

NKY Futs +0.7% vs Cash; USDJPY Weakens to ¥136.8 on stronger USD; Expectations rise BOJ Policy Change in June; Invidual invetors shifting to...

Mark Chadwick

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