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>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shimamura-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15213:1" rel="noopener">Shimamura (8227 JP)</a> is on a roll at the moment, clawing back share after a troubled few years of mis-merchandising and confused targeting.</li>
<li>After a record year, Shimamura now thinks its merchandise teams are strong enough to take on urban centre consumers – without raising operating costs. This could be a worry for Uniqlo.</li>
<li>Shimamura has tried this before but back then its focus was on young women and had weaker merchandising skills. This time around too urban consumers want more discount apparel.</li>
</ul>



Shimamura (8227 JP) is on a roll at the moment, clawing back share after a troubled few years of mis-merchandising and confused targeting.
After a record year, Shimamura now thinks its merchandise teams are strong enough to take on urban centre consumers – without raising operating costs. This could be a worry for Uniqlo.
Shimamura has tried this before but back then its focus was on young women and had weaker merchandising skills. This time around too urban consumers want more discount apparel.


Shimamura Back on Track, Targeting Urban Centres

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<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> reported <a href="https://www.yamada-holdings.jp/ir/kessan/2022/220506.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">earnings</a> (Revs -7.6% (slight beat), OP -28.6% (slight miss), NP -2.4% (slight miss)), and slightly upbeat forecasts to Mar-2023 (Revs +4.6%, OP +12.5%, NP +2.9%) </li>
<li>They also <a href="https://www.yamada-holdings.jp/lang-en/pdf/press/220506_1e.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> an unchanged dividend at ¥18/share, and a VERY BIG BUYBACK. This is one of the largest, most aggressive, on-market buyback programs I have ever seen.</li>
<li>Previous buybacks have been duds. Yamada Denki is not playing around this time. This time it will be a buy.</li>
</ul>



Yamada Denki (9831 JP) reported earnings (Revs -7.6% (slight beat), OP -28.6% (slight miss), NP -2.4% (slight miss)), and slightly upbeat forecasts to Mar-2023 (Revs +4.6%, OP +12.5%, NP +2.9%) 
They also announced an unchanged dividend at ¥18/share, and a VERY BIG BUYBACK. This is one of the largest, most aggressive, on-market buyback programs I have ever seen.
Previous buybacks have been duds. Yamada Denki is not playing around this time. This time it will be a buy.


Yamada Denki - GINORMOUS Buyback To Dramatically Boost EPS and ROE

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The government has promised consumers price inflation for almost a decade now but the only real result of this policy is that we’ve seen record levels of household saving. </li>
<li>Now, however, supply chain and other issues are quickly beginning to force up prices of basic products and these increases are having a real impact on household budgets.</li>
<li>How long this situation may last is the big question but the focus on price means discount food retailers like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kobe-bussan-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4701:1" rel="noopener">Kobe Bussan (3038 JP)</a> are likely to boom.</li>
</ul>


The government has promised consumers price inflation for almost a decade now but the only real result of this policy is that we’ve seen record levels of household saving. 
Now, however, supply chain and other issues are quickly beginning to force up prices of basic products and these increases are having a real impact on household budgets.
How long this situation may last is the big question but the focus on price means discount food retailers like Kobe Bussan (3038 JP) are likely to boom.


Japanese Households Focus on Price as Inflation Fears Spike

<ul>
<li>The last 18 months were the most traumatic for the fashion retail history since WWII. </li>
<li>Average household consumption budgets for apparel fell 18% in 2020 to a monthly average of just ¥10,655, 22% down on five years previously.</li>
<li>The following is an in-depth review of the fashion sector with unique rankings of the top 100, most profitable, fastest growing chains.</li>
</ul>


The last 18 months were the most traumatic for the fashion retail history since WWII. 
Average household consumption budgets for apparel fell 18% in 2020 to a monthly average of just ¥10,655, 22% down on five years previously.
The following is an in-depth review of the fashion sector with unique rankings of the top 100, most profitable, fastest growing chains.


Fashion Retailing 2020-21: Leading Brands Suffer Worst Year in Modern History

<p>Shimamura has had a great 18 months as customers chose to shop near homes – where most Shimamura stores are located – and for more casual, comfy clothing, something Shimamura excels at. The retailer claims it has turned a corner but with much of its success down to external factors, it needs to do a lot more internally if it is to thrive longer-term. The main concern is the still slow roll out of e-commerce, still less than 1% of sales.</p>

Shimamura has had a great 18 months as customers chose to shop near homes – where most Shimamura stores are located – and for more casual, comfy clothing, something Shimamura excels at. The retailer claims it has turned a corner but with much of its success down to external factors, it needs to do a lot more internally if it is to thrive longer-term. The main concern is the still slow roll out of e-commerce, still less than 1% of sales.

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 Back on Track, Targeting Urban Centres

Shimamura has fixed many underlying problems and looks stronger than in a decade. It is now targeting city centres and the athleisure and golf...

Michael Causton

Yamada Denki - GINORMOUS Buyback To Dramatically Boost EPS and ROE

Yamada Denki (9831) just announced better-than-consensus guidance, and a HUGE buyback implying a DPS hike. This will move a lot and will still be...

Travis Lundy

Japanese Households Focus on Price as Inflation Fears Spike

Pressure on household budgets from rising prices – real and perceived – are causing Japanese consumers to focus even further on prices. This will...

Michael Causton

Fashion Retailing 2020-21: Leading Brands Suffer Worst Year in Modern History

This insight is an in-depth review of Japan's apparel sector providing key background and comparisons for investors, including rankings of the top...

Michael Causton

Shimamura Strikes Gold in Pandemic

Shimamura has recovered ground lost during the past few years but there remains work to do, in terms of e-commerce of course but also core...

Michael Causton

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