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>Goldwin has had a remarkable run of record sales and profits, a beneficiary of the continuing growth in the outdoor market as well as its own retail strategy. </li>
<li>Although much of its success has come from The North Face, Goldwin is determined to become a more diversified – and global – sports business.</li>
<li>When we first recommended the stock it was around ¥5,000 and rose to a peak of ¥12,600 but is now about ¥9,000. Will it grow again? We think so.</li>
</ul>


Goldwin has had a remarkable run of record sales and profits, a beneficiary of the continuing growth in the outdoor market as well as its own retail strategy. 
Although much of its success has come from The North Face, Goldwin is determined to become a more diversified – and global – sports business.
When we first recommended the stock it was around ¥5,000 and rose to a peak of ¥12,600 but is now about ¥9,000. Will it grow again? We think so.


Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Private brands developed and managed by retailers themselves offer plenty of price and marketing flexibility during these inflationary times.</li>
<li>But it is not only their popularity as cheaper alternatives that is growing, so too are pack sizes, as consumers increase shopping volume and reduce shopping trip frequency.</li>
<li>The trend is another sign of why investors should look out for retailers with good private brands, given the impact on both sales and margin growth.</li>
</ul>


Private brands developed and managed by retailers themselves offer plenty of price and marketing flexibility during these inflationary times.
But it is not only their popularity as cheaper alternatives that is growing, so too are pack sizes, as consumers increase shopping volume and reduce shopping trip frequency.
The trend is another sign of why investors should look out for retailers with good private brands, given the impact on both sales and margin growth.


Private Brands in Japan: Getting Bigger – Literally

<ul>
<li>The almost viral popularity of Familymart’s line of basic clothing items continues to grow and shows the real potential for convenience stores to diversify and adapt. </li>
<li>Backed by Itochu, Familymart has expanded the product range and added new, limited edition items and brand collaborations, creating a success story that Seven Eleven may find hard to emulate.</li>
<li>Lawson, however, is controlled by Mitsubishi Corp which happens to have a clothing production arm that was behind the early success of Uniqlo and Adastria.</li>
</ul>


The almost viral popularity of Familymart’s line of basic clothing items continues to grow and shows the real potential for convenience stores to diversify and adapt. 
Backed by Itochu, Familymart has expanded the product range and added new, limited edition items and brand collaborations, creating a success story that Seven Eleven may find hard to emulate.
Lawson, however, is controlled by Mitsubishi Corp which happens to have a clothing production arm that was behind the early success of Uniqlo and Adastria.


Convenience Wear: Familymart Competes with Uniqlo in Basics

<ul>
<li>Gaining sufficient scale to get out of the shadow of the Big 3 online malls in Japan is providing tough for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/locondo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26993:1" rel="noopener">Jade Group (3558 JP)'</a>s Locondo.</li>
<li>The number of active users on Locondo has fallen in recent quarters, causing concern for merchants and investors alike. </li>
<li>Jade Group, is hoping that sales of major brands like Reebok will attract more users while also bringing higher levels of growth.</li>
</ul>


Gaining sufficient scale to get out of the shadow of the Big 3 online malls in Japan is providing tough for Jade Group (3558 JP)'s Locondo.
The number of active users on Locondo has fallen in recent quarters, causing concern for merchants and investors alike. 
Jade Group, is hoping that sales of major brands like Reebok will attract more users while also bringing higher levels of growth.


Jade Hopes for Growth Through Reebok as Locondo Slows

<ul>
<li>The big 3 convenience stores in Japan control 90% of the sector and share will climb as they mop up some of the remaining chains and collaborate with the rest.</li>
<li>Seven Eleven is by far the best performer of the three but both Lawson and Familymart are innovating to create quite different retail operations.</li>
<li>All are seeing the benefits of digitisation of store and supply chain operations, which should enhance profitability, enhanced by new services and revenue streams like retail media.</li>
</ul>


The big 3 convenience stores in Japan control 90% of the sector and share will climb as they mop up some of the remaining chains and collaborate with the rest.
Seven Eleven is by far the best performer of the three but both Lawson and Familymart are innovating to create quite different retail operations.
All are seeing the benefits of digitisation of store and supply chain operations, which should enhance profitability, enhanced by new services and revenue streams like retail media.


Conbini Wars: Seven Vs Lawson Vs Familymart

Japan

ITOCHU Corporation is a general trading firm handling textiles, wood, machinery, metals, food, chemicals, construction materials, commodities, and energy related products such as oil and gas. The Company operates around the world. Itochu diversifies by operating in satellite communication and data communication businesses.

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Itochu Corp (8001 JP)

Goldwin: Sustainable Records

Goldwin's remarkable sales and profits have continued, despite relying heavily on The North Face. The company now aims to diversify and expand...

Michael Causton

Private Brands in Japan: Getting Bigger – Literally

Private brands offer price and marketing flexibility during inflation, and their popularity is increasing. Investors should focus on retailers...

Michael Causton

Convenience Wear: Familymart Competes with Uniqlo in Basics

Familymart is successfully diversifying through clothing, a hit line that Seven Eleven may struggle to replicate. Lawson, backed by Mitsubishi...

Michael Causton

Jade Hopes for Growth Through Reebok as Locondo Slows

Locondo struggles to compete with Japan's top online malls, as active user numbers decline. Jade Group aims to boost growth by selling major...

Michael Causton

Conbini Wars: Seven Vs Lawson Vs Familymart

The top 3 convenience stores in Japan dominate the sector and are expected to further increase their market share. They are embracing digitization...

Michael Causton

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Goldwin: Sustainable Records

​Goldwin's remarkable sales and profits have continued, despite relying heavily on The North Face. The company now aims to diversify and expand...

Michael Causton

Private Brands in Japan: Getting Bigger – Literally

​Private brands offer price and marketing flexibility during inflation, and their popularity is increasing. Investors should focus on retailers...

Michael Causton

Convenience Wear: Familymart Competes with Uniqlo in Basics

Familymart is successfully diversifying through clothing, a hit line that Seven Eleven may struggle to replicate. Lawson, backed by Mitsubishi...

Michael Causton

Jade Hopes for Growth Through Reebok as Locondo Slows

​Locondo struggles to compete with Japan's top online malls, as active user numbers decline. Jade Group aims to boost growth by selling major...

Michael Causton

Conbini Wars: Seven Vs Lawson Vs Familymart

​The top 3 convenience stores in Japan dominate the sector and are expected to further increase their market share. They are embracing digitization...

Michael Causton

Goldwin's remarkable sales and profits have continued, despite relying heavily on The North Face. The company now aims to diversify and expand...

Private brands offer price and marketing flexibility during inflation, and their popularity is increasing. Investors should focus on retailers...

Locondo struggles to compete with Japan's top online malls, as active user numbers decline. Jade Group aims to boost growth by selling major...

The top 3 convenience stores in Japan dominate the sector and are expected to further increase their market share. They are embracing digitization...