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 convenience store sector was one of the worst hit by a downturn in sales during the early pandemic, but all three major chains have implemented changes and improvements. </li>
<li>Results for the first three quarters of FY2022 show that the big companies are almost all trading above 2019 levels already.</li>
<li>While top line growth at home will be increasingly hard to come by in a saturated sector, innovations will help boost same-store sales a little and profit a bit more.</li>
</ul>


The convenience store sector was one of the worst hit by a downturn in sales during the early pandemic, but all three major chains have implemented changes and improvements. 
Results for the first three quarters of FY2022 show that the big companies are almost all trading above 2019 levels already.
While top line growth at home will be increasingly hard to come by in a saturated sector, innovations will help boost same-store sales a little and profit a bit more.


Japanese Convenience Stores: Back with a Plan but Muted Growth Ahead

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Inflation remains the biggest headwind but most retail formats will see growth in 2023 with e-commerce expected to become the largest channel in the next 18 months.</li>
<li>Supermarkets are ripe for consolidation as new competitors emerge from the discount sector and online while convenience stores will consolidate further in a saturated sector.</li>
<li>Department stores will rebound further but only the leading firms will survive in a contracting sector.</li>
</ul>


Inflation remains the biggest headwind but most retail formats will see growth in 2023 with e-commerce expected to become the largest channel in the next 18 months.
Supermarkets are ripe for consolidation as new competitors emerge from the discount sector and online while convenience stores will consolidate further in a saturated sector.
Department stores will rebound further but only the leading firms will survive in a contracting sector.


Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Be long <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kawasaki-kisen-kaisha-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3548:1" rel="noopener">Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (9107 JP)</a> vs MOL and NYK. The shares are cheap on a forward basis. KLine is reducing the Real World Float, causing further potential squeeze.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sabana-industrial-real-estate-investment-trust" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:911:1" rel="noopener">Sabana Industrial REIT (SSREIT SP)</a>'s Partial Offer at 0.88x book is not overwhelming, but it is also not a control stake. It is probably priced near-right.</li>
<li>IF <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/osstem-implant-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1450:1" rel="noopener">Osstem (048260 KS)</a>'s price were to go higher, it is conceivable there could be a bump, but don't bet on it as long as the stock trades &lt;KRW 190,000. </li>
</ul>


Be long Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (9107 JP) vs MOL and NYK. The shares are cheap on a forward basis. KLine is reducing the Real World Float, causing further potential squeeze.

Sabana Industrial REIT (SSREIT SP)'s Partial Offer at 0.88x book is not overwhelming, but it is also not a control stake. It is probably priced near-right.
IF Osstem (048260 KS)'s price were to go higher, it is conceivable there could be a bump, but don't bet on it as long as the stock trades &lt;KRW 190,000. 


Last Week in SPACE: Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Osstem, Fujitsu General, Adani Enterprises

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

<ul>
<li>New York-based hedge fund ValueAct has told <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a>’s shareholders to support them in their bid to spin off the 7-Eleven US convenience store business.</li>
<li>Spinning off the only growth driver of the business does not seem like an idea that Seven &amp; I or its shareholders are likely to entertain.</li>
<li>We fear that ValueAct could be looking for reasons to call-off its investor-activism-campaign and perhaps is trying to squeeze out every last bit of gains as it exits its positions.</li>
</ul>


New York-based hedge fund ValueAct has told Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)’s shareholders to support them in their bid to spin off the 7-Eleven US convenience store business.
Spinning off the only growth driver of the business does not seem like an idea that Seven &amp; I or its shareholders are likely to entertain.
We fear that ValueAct could be looking for reasons to call-off its investor-activism-campaign and perhaps is trying to squeeze out every last bit of gains as it exits its positions.


Seven & I: Activist ValueAct Seeking a Spin-Off of The US Business

Japan Specialist

Mark Chadwick

<ul>
<li>OVERSEAS: SPX down 3 in a Row as  Fed Hawks out in force; Oil bucks trend ;  P&amp;G see weak sales; Musk makes it up on TESLA's self driving</li>
<li>JAPAN: Kishida Cabinet approval at record lows;  Activist ValueAct tgts S&amp;i(3382); Spate of Street upgrades to BUY incl General Contractors at MS; Japan CPI on tap.</li>
<li>DAILY NUGGET: Could be Nothing Burger but the costs of US default is rising as Debt Limit hit.</li>
</ul>


OVERSEAS: SPX down 3 in a Row as  Fed Hawks out in force; Oil bucks trend ;  P&amp;G see weak sales; Musk makes it up on TESLA's self driving
JAPAN: Kishida Cabinet approval at record lows;  Activist ValueAct tgts S&amp;i(3382); Spate of Street upgrades to BUY incl General Contractors at MS; Japan CPI on tap.
DAILY NUGGET: Could be Nothing Burger but the costs of US default is rising as Debt Limit hit.


Good Morning Japan |Fed Hawks Return; Earnings Weigh; ValueAct Tgts S&I(3382); Spate of JP BUY U/Gs

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.

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Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP)

Japanese Convenience Stores: Back with a Plan but Muted Growth Ahead

Japan's convenience store have rebounded strongly since the pandemic. Although the long-term outlook for growth is muted due to saturation,...

Michael Causton

Outlook for Japanese Retail in 2023

Most Japanese retailers can look forward to a good year in 2023 but there will be challenges for formats like supermarkets where consolidation is...

Michael Causton

Last Week in SPACE: Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Osstem, Fujitsu General, Adani Enterprises

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

Seven & I: Activist ValueAct Seeking a Spin-Off of The US Business

Following a recent media report that the company received an acquisition proposal, Value Act has hinted about a possible or even probable buyout...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Good Morning Japan |Fed Hawks Return; Earnings Weigh; ValueAct Tgts S&I(3382); Spate of JP BUY U/Gs

Fed Hawks out in full force; Kishida Cabinet approval at record lows; Activist tgts S&i(3382); Spate of Street upgrades to BUY incl General...

Mark Chadwick

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