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>Although spending on non-necessities withered from March 2020 onwards, some low-cost retailers of discretionary items continued to grow. </li>
<li>Workman’s mix of high cost performance and engagement with the ever more active outdoor market has, and will, support expansion, even if same-store sales growth has slowed.</li>
<li>Future category expansion will deliver higher same-store sales as well as top line growth. 1,500 stores (from 1,000) is certain but 2,000 is possible thanks to new categories like footwear.</li>
</ul>


Although spending on non-necessities withered from March 2020 onwards, some low-cost retailers of discretionary items continued to grow. 
Workman’s mix of high cost performance and engagement with the ever more active outdoor market has, and will, support expansion, even if same-store sales growth has slowed.
Future category expansion will deliver higher same-store sales as well as top line growth. 1,500 stores (from 1,000) is certain but 2,000 is possible thanks to new categories like footwear.


2023 High Conviction: Workman's Cost Performance Will Beat the Competition

<ul>
<li>Sanyo Shokai has posted losses in every year since FY2016 despite promising a return to profit on an annual basis too.</li>
<li>Its latest 3-year plan is typically optimistic but, equally typically, lacks real substance as to just where this growth will come from.</li>
<li>Of all Japan's larger apparel firms, Sanyo Shokai has the least promising outlook and that is saying something.</li>
</ul>


Sanyo Shokai has posted losses in every year since FY2016 despite promising a return to profit on an annual basis too.
Its latest 3-year plan is typically optimistic but, equally typically, lacks real substance as to just where this growth will come from.
Of all Japan's larger apparel firms, Sanyo Shokai has the least promising outlook and that is saying something.


<ul>
<li>All of Japan's big apparel firms have radically restructured but there is a lot more work to be done.</li>
<li>Onward has done a great job of transitioning to e-commerce but this is not enough to sustain the business and provide new sources of growth.</li>
<li>Trading will improve but slowly and more dynamism is needed in brand development and marketing.</li>
</ul>


All of Japan's big apparel firms have radically restructured but there is a lot more work to be done.
Onward has done a great job of transitioning to e-commerce but this is not enough to sustain the business and provide new sources of growth.
Trading will improve but slowly and more dynamism is needed in brand development and marketing.


Japan Apparel Reset: Onward Looks to E-Commerce for Growth

<ul>
<li>The outlook for big apparel remains uncertain; most executives are optimistic about a rebound in sales of premium apparel brands, they are also running around looking for ways to diversify.</li>
<li>Despite years of closing stores and a recent re-listing, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/world-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27437:1" rel="noopener">World Co Ltd (3612 JP)</a> remains in uncertain territory as it tries to boost sales of key brands.</li>
<li>More brands may need to close but the apparel firm is at least investing in new ventures, even if small scale.</li>
</ul>


The outlook for big apparel remains uncertain; most executives are optimistic about a rebound in sales of premium apparel brands, they are also running around looking for ways to diversify.
Despite years of closing stores and a recent re-listing, World Co Ltd (3612 JP) remains in uncertain territory as it tries to boost sales of key brands.
More brands may need to close but the apparel firm is at least investing in new ventures, even if small scale.


Japan Apparel Rethink: World Tries Diversification

Event-Driven

Narumiya International Co Ltd / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/world-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27437:1" rel="noopener">World Co Ltd (3612 JP)</a> is desperate to diversify its portfolio and find new growth assets as it continues to slash the non-performing parts of its sprawling business. </li>
<li>While childrenswear might not seem like a growth market, there are still opportunities, including at the premium end, explaining the rationale for buying <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/narumiya-international-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27417:1" rel="noopener">Narumiya International Co Ltd (9275 JP)</a>.</li>
<li>Narumiya expanded in the four years up to the pandemic and could provide a new growth division for World.</li>
</ul>



World Co Ltd (3612 JP) is desperate to diversify its portfolio and find new growth assets as it continues to slash the non-performing parts of its sprawling business. 
While childrenswear might not seem like a growth market, there are still opportunities, including at the premium end, explaining the rationale for buying Narumiya International Co Ltd (9275 JP).
Narumiya expanded in the four years up to the pandemic and could provide a new growth division for World.


Japan

World Co., Ltd. designs, manufactures, and distributes apparels. The Company produces women's garments, men's garments, children's garments, and other products. World also operates investment businesses.

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World Co Ltd (3612 JP)

2023 High Conviction: Workman's Cost Performance Will Beat the Competition

Some analysts have dismissed Workman as past its peak because S-S sales have fallen. This is a mistake: top line expansion and income growth will...

Michael Causton

Sanyo Shokai: More Unfulfilled Promises

Sanyo Shokai has promised a return to profit for more than five years. There seems to be more chance than for years for this to happen but it...

Michael Causton

Japan Apparel Reset: Onward Looks to E-Commerce for Growth

Onward Holdings has slashed stores by more than 1,700 and invested in e-commerce but this is not enough to deliver sustained growth. More work is...

Michael Causton

Japan Apparel Rethink: World Tries Diversification

Japan's big apparel firms have slashed operations and remain bullish about their outlook despite a lot of data to the contrary. Growth won't be...

Michael Causton

World to Absorb Narumiya

World is trying to diversify and is buying the rest of Narumiya International, a childrenswear retailer. Despite the falling birthrate, this is a...

Michael Causton

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