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/adastria-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11895:1" rel="noopener">Adastria Co Ltd (2685 JP)</a> has rebuilt and renamed its online store as it aims to create a major fashion mall to rival the likes of Zozo and Rakuten Fashion.</li>
<li>Unlike those rivals, it has a chain of stores linked to the mall, an advantage in a market where omnichannel is well supported by customers.</li>
<li>To boost sales from younger Japanese with fewer savings, it has also tied with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/acom-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8897:1" rel="noopener">Acom Co Ltd (8572 JP)</a> to offer small loans.</li>
</ul>



Adastria Co Ltd (2685 JP) has rebuilt and renamed its online store as it aims to create a major fashion mall to rival the likes of Zozo and Rakuten Fashion.
Unlike those rivals, it has a chain of stores linked to the mall, an advantage in a market where omnichannel is well supported by customers.
To boost sales from younger Japanese with fewer savings, it has also tied with Acom Co Ltd (8572 JP) to offer small loans.


Adastria Targets Zozo with New Online Mall, ‘And ST’

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

Index Rebalance

<ul>
<li>The review period for the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nikkei-225" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22909:1" rel="noopener">Nikkei 225 Index</a> March rebalance ends in January. There could be one outright change and one or two others driven by sector balance.</li>
<li>Depending on the changes, passive trackers will need to buy between 8.2-20.5x ADV (8.75%-24.5% of real float) and sell between 9-38x ADV on the deletions.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing</a>'s PAF could see a double reduction to keep the stock weight capped at 10%. There will be huge passive selling leading to funding inflows for other index constituents.</li>
</ul>


The review period for the Nikkei 225 Index March rebalance ends in January. There could be one outright change and one or two others driven by sector balance.
Depending on the changes, passive trackers will need to buy between 8.2-20.5x ADV (8.75%-24.5% of real float) and sell between 9-38x ADV on the deletions.

Fast Retailing's PAF could see a double reduction to keep the stock weight capped at 10%. There will be huge passive selling leading to funding inflows for other index constituents.


Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance Preview (Mar 2025): Ranking, Capping, Funding & Other Changes

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Zozo-Owned Yutori has just acquired a womenswear brand and plans a series of acquisitions, with ambitions to become the Zozo of the younger generation.</li>
<li>So far, it has grown very fast on the back of strong support from Japan's youth looking for street fashion but this latest move will reach into new segments.</li>
<li>Unlike Zozo, Yutori is investing in a chain of stores which have helped push awareness and sales and is the right strategy for Japan's store-addicted consumers.</li>
</ul>


Zozo-Owned Yutori has just acquired a womenswear brand and plans a series of acquisitions, with ambitions to become the Zozo of the younger generation.
So far, it has grown very fast on the back of strong support from Japan's youth looking for street fashion but this latest move will reach into new segments.
Unlike Zozo, Yutori is investing in a chain of stores which have helped push awareness and sales and is the right strategy for Japan's store-addicted consumers.


Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>The last two reviews have been announced on the second business day of the month of the review. The one before that on the third business day.</li>
<li>The review could be announced today or tomorrow. Wednesday would seem to be "late."</li>
<li>There are still questions about implementation - thus "care" in previous insights. Here I explore the possibilities/probabilities/issues around the edges. And a Dark Horse which may be lighter than thought.</li>
</ul>


The last two reviews have been announced on the second business day of the month of the review. The one before that on the third business day.
The review could be announced today or tomorrow. Wednesday would seem to be "late."
There are still questions about implementation - thus "care" in previous insights. Here I explore the possibilities/probabilities/issues around the edges. And a Dark Horse which may be lighter than thought.


Sep24 Nikkei 225 Rebal - Last Minute Thoughts and Change in Predictions

<ul>
<li>The review period for the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nikkei-225" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22909:1" rel="noopener">Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX)</a> September rebalance ended yesterday. There could be three changes at the rebalance with sector balance in focus for the additions.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a>'s capping in the index has been confirmed and its index weight will drop by around 0.9% resulting in big selling at the close on 30 September. </li>
<li>Passive trackers will need to buy between 3.5-35x ADV (2.4%-24% of real float) on the inclusions and sell between 3.7-42.5x ADV on the deletions.</li>
</ul>


The review period for the Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX) September rebalance ended yesterday. There could be three changes at the rebalance with sector balance in focus for the additions.

Fast Retailing (9983 JP)'s capping in the index has been confirmed and its index weight will drop by around 0.9% resulting in big selling at the close on 30 September. 
Passive trackers will need to buy between 3.5-35x ADV (2.4%-24% of real float) on the inclusions and sell between 3.7-42.5x ADV on the deletions.


Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance Preview (Sep 2024): Review Period Done; Fast Retailing Capping Confirmed

Japan

ZOZO Inc operates internet shopping sites for apparel.  The Company also provides communication services relating to apparel such as blogs by fashion moguls and internet chat room for users.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

ZOZO Inc (3092 JP)

Adastria Targets Zozo with New Online Mall, ‘And ST’

Adastria Co Ltd aims to rival Zozo and Rakuten Fashion with a new online store and omnichannel strategy, targeting younger Japanese with small...

Michael Causton

Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance Preview (Mar 2025): Ranking, Capping, Funding & Other Changes

There should be 1 change, could be 3 due to sector balance. The impact on the potential changes varies from 8-38x ADV. Fast Retailing could see a...

Brian Freitas

Yutori Expands Through M&A Too

Yutori, owned by Zozo, aims to become the Zozo of the younger generation by acquiring a womenswear brand and planning further M&A to reach new...

Michael Causton

Sep24 Nikkei 225 Rebal - Last Minute Thoughts and Change in Predictions

The September Nikkei 225 rebalance is likely to be announced either today, tomorrow, or Thursday. I have adjusted my picks to go for 3 x 3. If I...

Travis Lundy

Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance Preview (Sep 2024): Review Period Done; Fast Retailing Capping Confirmed

Review period ended yesterday. Fast Retailing's capping will result in a 0.9% drop in index weight. There could be 3 index changes with sector...

Brian Freitas

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Adastria Targets Zozo with New Online Mall, ‘And ST’

​Adastria Co Ltd aims to rival Zozo and Rakuten Fashion with a new online store and omnichannel strategy, targeting younger Japanese with small...

Michael Causton

Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance Preview (Mar 2025): Ranking, Capping, Funding & Other Changes

There should be 1 change, could be 3 due to sector balance. The impact on the potential changes varies from 8-38x ADV. Fast Retailing could see a...

Brian Freitas

Yutori Expands Through M&A Too

​Yutori, owned by Zozo, aims to become the Zozo of the younger generation by acquiring a womenswear brand and planning further M&A to reach new...

Michael Causton

Sep24 Nikkei 225 Rebal - Last Minute Thoughts and Change in Predictions

The September Nikkei 225 rebalance is likely to be announced either today, tomorrow, or Thursday. I have adjusted my picks to go for 3 x 3. If I...

Travis Lundy

Nikkei 225 Index Rebalance Preview (Sep 2024): Review Period Done; Fast Retailing Capping Confirmed

Review period ended yesterday. Fast Retailing's capping will result in a 0.9% drop in index weight. There could be 3 index changes with sector...

Brian Freitas

Adastria Co Ltd aims to rival Zozo and Rakuten Fashion with a new online store and omnichannel strategy, targeting younger Japanese with small...

Yutori, owned by Zozo, aims to become the Zozo of the younger generation by acquiring a womenswear brand and planning further M&A to reach new...