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. 

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Aeon will almost definitely increase its stake in Tsuruha Holdings, which on its own will catalyse drugstore competitors to consider their mergeable options.</li>
<li>Tsuruha MAY merge with Welcia under Aeon and just talk of this will catalyse drugstore competitors even more.</li>
<li>But the ongoing fusion of drugstore retailing and FMCG formats like supermarkets and convenience stores, will also spur the entire FMCG sector to respond to Aeon's massive potential dominance.</li>
</ul>


Aeon will almost definitely increase its stake in Tsuruha Holdings, which on its own will catalyse drugstore competitors to consider their mergeable options.
Tsuruha MAY merge with Welcia under Aeon and just talk of this will catalyse drugstore competitors even more.
But the ongoing fusion of drugstore retailing and FMCG formats like supermarkets and convenience stores, will also spur the entire FMCG sector to respond to Aeon's massive potential dominance.


Aeon (Maybe) Gets Tsuruha, Could Trigger Wave of Mergers in the Sector (And Beyond)

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The growth in retail media (brand advertising delivered in stores based on detailed customer data) continues to be one of the big trends in 2024.</li>
<li>Large retailers are keen to add this new revenue stream – and lots of brands want to advertise with them – and companies like Rakuten are offering this service directly.</li>
<li>For many retailers, they still need help from experts in advertising and data analysis to make it work, providing an opportunity for Hakuhodo among others.</li>
</ul>


The growth in retail media (brand advertising delivered in stores based on detailed customer data) continues to be one of the big trends in 2024.
Large retailers are keen to add this new revenue stream – and lots of brands want to advertise with them – and companies like Rakuten are offering this service directly.
For many retailers, they still need help from experts in advertising and data analysis to make it work, providing an opportunity for Hakuhodo among others.


Retail Media in Japan: More Revenue for Retailers, More Sales for Brands

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Tsuruha is the latest retailer to come under attack from an activist investment fund. </li>
<li>As with Seven &amp; I, the company fended off demands to shake up its board, crucially with the support of Aeon, its largest stakeholder.</li>
<li>The move will likely lead to some careful reconsideration of how Tsuruha and Aeon could work together and may even lead to a Welcia/Tsuruha merger.</li>
</ul>


Tsuruha is the latest retailer to come under attack from an activist investment fund. 
As with Seven &amp; I, the company fended off demands to shake up its board, crucially with the support of Aeon, its largest stakeholder.
The move will likely lead to some careful reconsideration of how Tsuruha and Aeon could work together and may even lead to a Welcia/Tsuruha merger.


Activists May Be Pushing Tsuruha Towards a Merger with Welcia

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>Over the weekend there was an article in the Nikkei saying that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tsuruha-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9536:1" rel="noopener">Tsuruha Holdings (3391 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/welcia-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20895:1" rel="noopener">Welcia Holdings (3141 JP)</a> were considering a merger. Other media outlets followed.</li>
<li>This has been a possible outcome. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3:1" rel="noopener">Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP)</a> owns 51% of Welcia, 13.6% in Tsuruha, and is negotiating to buy another 13% in Tsuruha from Oasis.</li>
<li>This would create a behemoth. ¥2.2trln in revenues vs ¥1trln for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/matsukiyococokara-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2259:1" rel="noopener">MatsukiyoCocokara (3088 JP)</a>. It would be 25% of the market. Questions will be asked about concentration. </li>
</ul>


Over the weekend there was an article in the Nikkei saying that Tsuruha Holdings (3391 JP) and Welcia Holdings (3141 JP) were considering a merger. Other media outlets followed.
This has been a possible outcome. Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP) owns 51% of Welcia, 13.6% in Tsuruha, and is negotiating to buy another 13% in Tsuruha from Oasis.
This would create a behemoth. ¥2.2trln in revenues vs ¥1trln for MatsukiyoCocokara (3088 JP). It would be 25% of the market. Questions will be asked about concentration. 


Tsuruha (3391) And Welcia (3141) - Aeon Tsuruha Stake Buy Followed by Merger?

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trial-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36821:1" rel="noopener">Trial Holdings (5882 JP)</a>, a discount store operator in Japan, is seeking to raise US$235 million at the IPO reference price of JPY1,550 per share. Pricing on 11 March.</li>
<li>Trial aims to act as a one-stop shopping store where consumers can buy whatever they want at a great price. Trial’s basic pricing strategy is Every Day Low Price.</li>
<li>The investment case rests on steady revenue growth, industry-leading same-store sales growth, solid margin profile and cash generation.</li>
</ul>



Trial Holdings (5882 JP), a discount store operator in Japan, is seeking to raise US$235 million at the IPO reference price of JPY1,550 per share. Pricing on 11 March.
Trial aims to act as a one-stop shopping store where consumers can buy whatever they want at a great price. Trial’s basic pricing strategy is Every Day Low Price.
The investment case rests on steady revenue growth, industry-leading same-store sales growth, solid margin profile and cash generation.


Japan

Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. is a holding company which was established through the merger of Ito-Yokado Co., Seven Eleven Japan Co., and Denny's Japan. The Company plans, manages, and operates mainly convenience stores, supermarkets, and department stores.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP)

Aeon (Maybe) Gets Tsuruha, Could Trigger Wave of Mergers in the Sector (And Beyond)

Aeon's potential increased stake in Tsuruha Holdings and possible merger with Welcia will likely prompt drugstore competitors to consider their...

Michael Causton

Retail Media in Japan: More Revenue for Retailers, More Sales for Brands

Retail media, a big trend in 2024, offers major revenue potential for retailers as well as intermediaries like Hakuhodo in advertising and data...

Michael Causton

Activists May Be Pushing Tsuruha Towards a Merger with Welcia

This insight from last September looked at the likelihood of a merger attempt by Aeon between Welcia and Tsuruha. The reasons for this are similar...

Michael Causton

Tsuruha (3391) And Welcia (3141) - Aeon Tsuruha Stake Buy Followed by Merger?

Over the weekend we have news suggesting Aeon is pushing Tsuruha and Welcia towards a merger after buying Oasis' Tsuruha stake. Both stocks are up....

Travis Lundy

Trial Holdings IPO: The Investment Case

The investment case rests on steady revenue growth, industry-leading same-store sales growth, solid margin profile and cash generation.

Arun George

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Aeon (Maybe) Gets Tsuruha, Could Trigger Wave of Mergers in the Sector (And Beyond)

​Aeon's potential increased stake in Tsuruha Holdings and possible merger with Welcia will likely prompt drugstore competitors to consider their...

Michael Causton

Retail Media in Japan: More Revenue for Retailers, More Sales for Brands

​Retail media, a big trend in 2024, offers major revenue potential for retailers as well as intermediaries like Hakuhodo in advertising and data...

Michael Causton

Activists May Be Pushing Tsuruha Towards a Merger with Welcia

This insight from last September looked at the likelihood of a merger attempt by Aeon between Welcia and Tsuruha. The reasons for this are similar...

Michael Causton

Tsuruha (3391) And Welcia (3141) - Aeon Tsuruha Stake Buy Followed by Merger?

Over the weekend we have news suggesting Aeon is pushing Tsuruha and Welcia towards a merger after buying Oasis' Tsuruha stake. Both stocks are up....

Travis Lundy

Trial Holdings IPO: The Investment Case

The investment case rests on steady revenue growth, industry-leading same-store sales growth, solid margin profile and cash generation.

Arun George

Aeon's potential increased stake in Tsuruha Holdings and possible merger with Welcia will likely prompt drugstore competitors to consider their...

Retail media, a big trend in 2024, offers major revenue potential for retailers as well as intermediaries like Hakuhodo in advertising and data...