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>Shimamura continues to grow at a solid rate after struggling to find relevance in the five years to 2021.</li>
<li>Its growing success with collaborative brands and direct sourcing has delivered younger fans in city centres, and the apparel retailer now plans to build stores in the four big conurbations.</li>
<li>The timing is just right as consumers shift to ever cheaper basics in the face of fears of further inflation and tougher times ahead.</li>
</ul>


Shimamura continues to grow at a solid rate after struggling to find relevance in the five years to 2021.
Its growing success with collaborative brands and direct sourcing has delivered younger fans in city centres, and the apparel retailer now plans to build stores in the four big conurbations.
The timing is just right as consumers shift to ever cheaper basics in the face of fears of further inflation and tougher times ahead.


Shimamura Benefitting Big from Consumer Uncertainty

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The following is an in-depth review of the Japanese retail sector in 2021-22 and is designed to provide a complete overview for any investor in Japanese retail/consumer markets.</li>
<li>FY2021-22 proved a rebound year for retailers at the sector level. But on a company by company basis, there has been radical divergence between the best and the rest. </li>
<li>We look at the reasons for this divergence and the implications for Japanese retail and consumer firms in the years ahead.</li>
</ul>


The following is an in-depth review of the Japanese retail sector in 2021-22 and is designed to provide a complete overview for any investor in Japanese retail/consumer markets.
FY2021-22 proved a rebound year for retailers at the sector level. But on a company by company basis, there has been radical divergence between the best and the rest. 
We look at the reasons for this divergence and the implications for Japanese retail and consumer firms in the years ahead.


Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

<ul>
<li>Price consciousness remains high among most Japanese consumers at present, a boost to low-cost apparel retailers.</li>
<li>Shimamura, which has posted three straight years of growth But when price is the main driver, competition from the likes of Shein and Temu becomes a growing problem.</li>
<li>So even Shimamura is trying to add value through branding, collaborations and Shein-like supply chains and the outlook is promising, suggesting significant upward gains for the stock.</li>
</ul>


Price consciousness remains high among most Japanese consumers at present, a boost to low-cost apparel retailers.
Shimamura, which has posted three straight years of growth But when price is the main driver, competition from the likes of Shein and Temu becomes a growing problem.
So even Shimamura is trying to add value through branding, collaborations and Shein-like supply chains and the outlook is promising, suggesting significant upward gains for the stock.


Low Cost Apparel Sales Keep Rising: Shimamura Aims for ¥800 Billion

Honeys Holdings Co., Ltd. / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Low cost apparel retailers have enjoyed a significant uptick in the past few years as consumers look to polarise their spending further between cheaper basics and luxury treats. </li>
<li>But the real change is in improving profitability. One the biggest beneficiaries has been Honeys, a low cost womenswear retailer that has seen a revival in the past few years.</li>
<li>Operating profit has tripled since 2018. Can it last? Work on creating its own low cost manufacturing base suggests it can.</li>
</ul>


Low cost apparel retailers have enjoyed a significant uptick in the past few years as consumers look to polarise their spending further between cheaper basics and luxury treats. 
But the real change is in improving profitability. One the biggest beneficiaries has been Honeys, a low cost womenswear retailer that has seen a revival in the past few years.
Operating profit has tripled since 2018. Can it last? Work on creating its own low cost manufacturing base suggests it can.


Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>A lot has been said and written about Trial's IPO but much of this relates to pass performance and comparing it to supermarkets.</li>
<li>As the company's latest Trial Go store in Fukuoka shows,  Trial is a tech-based retailer and a true discounter, and discounting is where the growth is in Japanese FMCG.</li>
<li>Trial thinks its technology can reduce costs significantly, improving margins while allowing it to roll out more small format stores to compete with convenience stores. It may be right.</li>
</ul>


A lot has been said and written about Trial's IPO but much of this relates to pass performance and comparing it to supermarkets.
As the company's latest Trial Go store in Fukuoka shows,  Trial is a tech-based retailer and a true discounter, and discounting is where the growth is in Japanese FMCG.
Trial thinks its technology can reduce costs significantly, improving margins while allowing it to roll out more small format stores to compete with convenience stores. It may be right.


Trial IPO to Drive Tech Innovation Targeting Convenience Stores

Japan

USS CO LTD manages used car auction facilities throughout  Japan. The Company al so conducts auto auctions through satellites, and provides used car information through internet.

YAMADA DENKI CO., LTD. operates consumer electronic mass sales stores throughout Japan.  The Company sells home appliances, audio & visual systems, office automation equipment, telecommunication equipment, software, and computers. The Company also provides repair services for its merchandises.

ABC-MART, INC. plans, develops, wholesales, and retails shoes.  The Company also plans and develops brand name shoes such as VANS and G.T. HAWKINS.  ABC-Mart imports and wholesales shoes, apparel, bags, and sundries as well.

WORKMAN CO., LTD. designs, produces, and retails work uniforms and related goods including work gloves and safety shoes.  The Company operates its own stores and franchise stores located throughout eastern Japan.

BIC CAMERA INC. operates electronic retail stores throughout Japan focusing on the Tokyo metropolitan area.  The Company sells audio and video equipments, electrical home appliances and telecommunication equipments.  Bic Camera also runs an Internet shopping site.

K'S HOLDINGS CORPORATION, based in Ibaraki prefecture, operates large scale electrical appliance store chain.  Franchise stores operates throughout Japan. The Company sells a variety of electrical appliances including refrigerators, washing machines, cooking appliances, computers, audio & visual systems, and air conditioners.

Sanrio Company, Ltd. manufactures and sells character goods including gift merchandise, greeting cards, and stationery products.  The Company also produces books, magazines, and movies, and though its subsidiary, operates restaurants and amusement parks.

KOMERI CO., LTD. operates a home center chain based in Niigata Prefecture. The Company sells DIY (do-it-yourself) products, building materials, tools, hardware, household utensils, gardening materials, car care goods, and leisure goods.  Komeri also operates business in China.

T-GAIA CORPORATION sells cell-phone units and service contracts in Japan. The Company also offers high-speed internet connection service through sales agencies.

DCM Holdings Co., Ltd. is a holding company established through merger of Kahma, Daiki, and Homac.  The Company operates home center chain stores throughout Japan.  DCM Japan Holdings offers merchandise such as home improvement products, household utensils, gardening supplies, sporting/leisure goods, and pet products .

Premier Investments Ltd., through subsidiaries, retails clothing.  The Company retails name brand casual and business clothing for men and women, and stationery and storage products.

Five Below, Inc. operates as a specialty value retailer. The Company offers products such as crafts, party, candy, sports, media, and seasonal products. Five Below serves its customers throughout the United States.

Urban Outfitters, Inc. operates retail stores and direct response, including a catalog and Web sites.  The Company's Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie retail concepts sell fashion apparel, accessories, and household and gift merchandise. Urban also designs and markets young women's casual wear which it provides to the Company's retail operations and sells to retailers worldwide.

Home Product Center Public Company Limited is a retailer of building materials and home improvement products.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. retails men's and women's casual apparel, footwear, outerwear, and accessories.  The Company's products include jeans, khakis, T-shirts, and other similar apparel.  American Eagle operates in the United States.

Foot Locker, Inc. is primarily a mall-based athletic retailer that operates athletic retail stores in countries located in North America, Europe, and Australia.  The Company provides athletic footwear and apparel through its Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, and Champs Sports retail stores. Foot Locker also operates a direct-to-consumer channel, Footlocker.com/Eastbay.

Zhongsheng Group Holdings Ltd. retails automobiles.  The Company imports and retails primarily luxury and mid- to high-end automobile brands.

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. sells western and work gear for individuals and families. The Company sells boots, jeans, shirts, hats, belts, jewelry, among other products. Boot Barn operates throughout the Untied States.

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is a retailer of auto parts and accessories. The Company operates stores in various states, primarily  located in the northeastern, southeastern, and midwestern regions of the United States, and in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Group 1 Automotive, Inc., through its subsidiaries, owns and operates automobile dealerships.  The Company sells new and used cars and light trucks, provides maintenance and repair services, and sells replacement parts.  The Company also arranges related financing, insurance, and extended service contracts.  Group 1 operates in Florida, Georgia, Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas.

SHIMAMURA CO., Ltd. operates chain stores selling mainly clothing for men, women, children, and also bedding and furnishing goods.  The Company has stores in mainly suburb areas throughout Japan.

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Shimamura (8227 JP)

Shimamura Benefitting Big from Consumer Uncertainty

Apparel retailer Shimamura keeps finding new growth through collaborative brands and direct sourcing, and is now targeting younger fans in city...

Michael Causton

Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

There is increasing divergence between the winners and losers in Japanese retailing and the following in-depth review looks at performance in the...

Michael Causton

Low Cost Apparel Sales Keep Rising: Shimamura Aims for ¥800 Billion

The focus on price is benefiting low-cost apparel retailers like Shimamura. Although competition from platforms like Shein and Temu poses a...

Michael Causton

Sweet Honeys: A Profit Machine

Low cost apparel retailers are seeing increased profitability, with Honeys leading the way through a revival and focus on creating a low cost...

Michael Causton

Trial IPO to Drive Tech Innovation Targeting Convenience Stores

Trial failed to complete an IPO and is now going again and the same fundamentals outlined in this insight apply today as it is a long-term viewpoint.

Michael Causton

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Shimamura Benefitting Big from Consumer Uncertainty

​Apparel retailer Shimamura keeps finding new growth through collaborative brands and direct sourcing, and is now targeting younger fans in city...

Michael Causton

Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

There is increasing divergence between the winners and losers in Japanese retailing and the following in-depth review looks at performance in the...

Michael Causton

Low Cost Apparel Sales Keep Rising: Shimamura Aims for ¥800 Billion

The focus on price is benefiting low-cost apparel retailers like Shimamura. Although competition from platforms like Shein and Temu poses a...

Michael Causton

Sweet Honeys: A Profit Machine

​Low cost apparel retailers are seeing increased profitability, with Honeys leading the way through a revival and focus on creating a low cost...

Michael Causton

Trial IPO to Drive Tech Innovation Targeting Convenience Stores

Trial failed to complete an IPO and is now going again and the same fundamentals outlined in this insight apply today as it is a long-term viewpoint.

Michael Causton

Apparel retailer Shimamura keeps finding new growth through collaborative brands and direct sourcing, and is now targeting younger fans in city...

Low cost apparel retailers are seeing increased profitability, with Honeys leading the way through a revival and focus on creating a low cost...