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

TSURUHA HOLDINGS INC. is a holding company which manages subsidiaries that operate drug stores in Hokkaido and the Tohoku area.  The Company's product line includes drugs, cosmetics, and household utensils.

<ul>
<li>The Tsuruha and Welcia merger before the year’s close, backed by Aeon, is targeting ¥50 billion in cost savings over three years. </li>
<li>As well as the massive economies of scale, consolidated procurement, revamped private brands and a unified points and customer‑ID strategy are central to this.</li>
<li>However, weak food offerings, legacy stores and IT complexity still threaten sustainable profit recovery as is the question of who will be in charge.</li>
</ul>


The Tsuruha and Welcia merger before the year’s close, backed by Aeon, is targeting ¥50 billion in cost savings over three years. 
As well as the massive economies of scale, consolidated procurement, revamped private brands and a unified points and customer‑ID strategy are central to this.
However, weak food offerings, legacy stores and IT complexity still threaten sustainable profit recovery as is the question of who will be in charge.


Tsuruha-Welcia: Will Scale Translate into Profit?

Equity Bottom-Up

AEON KYUSHU CO.,LTD., a member of AEON Group, operates a supermarket chain based in Kyushu region.  The Company sells various type of merchandise including clothing, foodstuffs, and household utensils.

<ul>
<li>Aeon Kyushu will accelerate rollout of its new, small store formats, emulating its parent company’s strategy in Tokyo.</li>
<li>The stores will also challenge local players like Cosmos Pharma and Trial. </li>
<li>A year after opening the first small-format supermarket, it has added an ultra small Maxvalu Express in Fukuoka. </li>
</ul>


Aeon Kyushu will accelerate rollout of its new, small store formats, emulating its parent company’s strategy in Tokyo.
The stores will also challenge local players like Cosmos Pharma and Trial. 
A year after opening the first small-format supermarket, it has added an ultra small Maxvalu Express in Fukuoka. 


Aeon Kyushu: The Future Is Small Format Supermarkets

UNITED ARROWS LTD., operates fashion stores, specializing in casual clothing and accessory for men and women.  The Company has stores nationwide.  Main forces are United Arrows, Green Label Relaxing and Chrome Hearts.

<ul>
<li>United Arrows is beginning to flex its market power by launching more new brands rather than just iterations of its eponymous name</li>
<li>A key focus is a move to exploit the massive demand for Korean brands in Japan with Korean licenses for Nice Weather and Osoi.</li>
<li>More licenses are expected in the near future as the select shop retailer looks to take more share of the premium market.</li>
</ul>


United Arrows is beginning to flex its market power by launching more new brands rather than just iterations of its eponymous name
A key focus is a move to exploit the massive demand for Korean brands in Japan with Korean licenses for Nice Weather and Osoi.
More licenses are expected in the near future as the select shop retailer looks to take more share of the premium market.


United Arrows on a Roll Again with Korean Brands

RYOHIN KEIKAKU CO., LTD. is a retailer and wholesaler of Mujirushi Ryohin brand products, which were originally a generic private-brand product.  The Company's product line includes knitwear, food, and household items

<ul>
<li>Ryohin Keikaku has once again exceeded expectations, posting record sales and profits that suggest its near-term ¥1 trillion target will easily be reached. </li>
<li>While worries over ubiquity remain, the trusting relationship between customer and brand has allowed rapid and successful category expansion which should deliver those targets.</li>
<li>This includes overseas markets where Muji is now gaining momentum again in China and, at last, making the most of its brand in Europe.</li>
</ul>


Ryohin Keikaku has once again exceeded expectations, posting record sales and profits that suggest its near-term ¥1 trillion target will easily be reached. 
While worries over ubiquity remain, the trusting relationship between customer and brand has allowed rapid and successful category expansion which should deliver those targets.
This includes overseas markets where Muji is now gaining momentum again in China and, at last, making the most of its brand in Europe.


Muji: Closing in on ¥1 Trillion with Fresh Ideas

ONWARD HOLDINGS CO., LTD. manufactures men's ready-made suits, women's, and children's wear.  The Company has its own brands, Onward and KUMIKYOKU. Onward also manufactures sports goods, books, stationery, cosmetics, art decoration.

<ul>
<li>Onward has quietly but radically transformed its business from wholesale to omnichannel retail.</li>
<li>Even more remarkably for a company whose average customer age was until very recently over 50, its latest brands now appeal to teens and 20s.</li>
<li>The new brands exemplify how much this previously staid wholesaler has changed.</li>
</ul>


Onward has quietly but radically transformed its business from wholesale to omnichannel retail.
Even more remarkably for a company whose average customer age was until very recently over 50, its latest brands now appeal to teens and 20s.
The new brands exemplify how much this previously staid wholesaler has changed.


Onward’s Radical Transformation from Stolid to Trend Leader