Telco/Internet specialist

Kirk Boodry

Redex Research

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Within our coverage, NTT and Softbank Group are the main beneficiaries of a stronger dollar. NTT benefits operationally as it generates c. $18-20bn in overseas revenue</li>
<li>Softbank benefits in valuation terms as c. 90% of the portfolio is dollar-linked. The forex move from ¥115 to ¥144 boosts asset value by ¥2.4trn or  ¥1,500/share (net)</li>
<li>ECommerce play Mercari gets 30% of revenue from the US but that segment is losing money and a stronger dollar expands that on a yen P&amp;L</li>
</ul>


Within our coverage, NTT and Softbank Group are the main beneficiaries of a stronger dollar. NTT benefits operationally as it generates c. $18-20bn in overseas revenue
Softbank benefits in valuation terms as c. 90% of the portfolio is dollar-linked. The forex move from ¥115 to ¥144 boosts asset value by ¥2.4trn or  ¥1,500/share (net)
ECommerce play Mercari gets 30% of revenue from the US but that segment is losing money and a stronger dollar expands that on a yen P&amp;L


Japan Telecoms - Strong Dollar a Boon for NTT and Softbank Group, Bad for Mercari

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. 

<ul>
<li>Recently, the e-commerce retail market for goods had had more consistent growth than the overall online market, which saw a contraction in BtoB transactions during Covid. </li>
<li>In 2021, online sales of physical goods continued to grow, despite a correction following the spike in sales in 2020 when sales rose 21.7%.</li>
<li>Merchandise sales are set to grow by a similar amount in 2022, with food, fashion and consumer gadgets the highest growth categories.</li>
</ul>


Recently, the e-commerce retail market for goods had had more consistent growth than the overall online market, which saw a contraction in BtoB transactions during Covid. 
In 2021, online sales of physical goods continued to grow, despite a correction following the spike in sales in 2020 when sales rose 21.7%.
Merchandise sales are set to grow by a similar amount in 2022, with food, fashion and consumer gadgets the highest growth categories.


Japanese Merchandise E-Commerce to Grow 6.6% in 2022

<ul>
<li>This is an in-depth review of Japanese e-commerce in the last 18 months, a time when e-commerce expanded rapidly and by 2023, e-commerce will be Japan’s single biggest retail channel.</li>
<li>We are now riding a wave of change as retailers integrate the e-commerce channel into their businesses, increasingly approaching a true omnichannel model.</li>
<li>And this is important in Japan because, although e-commerce penetration appears low, this overlooks the importance, convenience and ease of access to physical shops and integration with online.</li>
</ul>


This is an in-depth review of Japanese e-commerce in the last 18 months, a time when e-commerce expanded rapidly and by 2023, e-commerce will be Japan’s single biggest retail channel.
We are now riding a wave of change as retailers integrate the e-commerce channel into their businesses, increasingly approaching a true omnichannel model.
And this is important in Japan because, although e-commerce penetration appears low, this overlooks the importance, convenience and ease of access to physical shops and integration with online.


<ul>
<li>Analysts are expecting cashless payments in Japan for 2021 to show further accelerated growth in the use of mobile payment apps.</li>
<li>Surveys suggest consumers rapidly increased their use of mobile payments and are even expressing frustration when the service is unavailable. </li>
<li>PayPay is utterly dominant with nearly 50% share based on survey responses. We expect consolidation below from NTT, Mercari, Rakuten and KDDI.</li>
</ul>


Analysts are expecting cashless payments in Japan for 2021 to show further accelerated growth in the use of mobile payment apps.
Surveys suggest consumers rapidly increased their use of mobile payments and are even expressing frustration when the service is unavailable. 
PayPay is utterly dominant with nearly 50% share based on survey responses. We expect consolidation below from NTT, Mercari, Rakuten and KDDI.


Growth in Cashless Payments Surges in Japan – PayPay Totally Dominant

<p>Google is reportedly close to acquiring smartphone settlements company Pring for ¥20-30bn which would open the door for it to offer a mobile payments service in Japan directly linked to bank accounts. And that is the appeal of Pring which is a relative minnow in the Japanese payments market with &lt;1mn users but has relationships with a wide range of Japanese financial institutions. Google is not a global fintech player but it has had some success in a few markets like the US and India whilst it has started to expand in Europe, and now apparently, Japan. Competitively, the major domestic players with vast consumer ecosystems are formidable competition but Google connects to half of all smartphone users through Android and has merchant relationships through its Internet advertising business.</p>

Google is reportedly close to acquiring smartphone settlements company Pring for ¥20-30bn which would open the door for it to offer a mobile payments service in Japan directly linked to bank accounts. And that is the appeal of Pring which is a relative minnow in the Japanese payments market with &lt;1mn users but has relationships with a wide range of Japanese financial institutions. Google is not a global fintech player but it has had some success in a few markets like the US and India whilst it has started to expand in Europe, and now apparently, Japan. Competitively, the major domestic players with vast consumer ecosystems are formidable competition but Google connects to half of all smartphone users through Android and has merchant relationships through its Internet advertising business.

Japan Fintech - Google Push into Mobile Payments Could Raise Competitive Intensity

Japan

Mercari, Inc. operates as an electronic commercial company. The Company offers electronic commercial software, operation management, marketing planning, and other marketplace services. Mercari serves customers worldwide.

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Mercari (4385 JP)

Japan Telecoms - Strong Dollar a Boon for NTT and Softbank Group, Bad for Mercari

We have discussed strong dollar beneficiaries before but thought it worth revisiting with the dollar at a 24-year high. In short: better NTT...

Kirk Boodry

Japanese Merchandise E-Commerce to Grow 6.6% in 2022

Japan's e-commerce market continued to grow in 2021 despite the surge in 2020 (up 21%) and is forecast to grow further in 2022, with food one of...

Michael Causton

E-Commerce in Japan: The Big Review

Japan's e-commerce sector expanded rapidly in the last 18 months. The following is a complete review and analysis of the major trends as well as...

Michael Causton

Growth in Cashless Payments Surges in Japan – PayPay Totally Dominant

Japan is shifting from 80-90% cash retail transactions to 40-50% cashless in the blink of an eye. Softbank/Z HD dominates with nearly 50% share and...

Michael Causton

Japan Fintech - Google Push into Mobile Payments Could Raise Competitive Intensity

Google is considering an acquisition that would allow it to compete directly in JP mobile payments. It lacks a direct consumer business but Android...

Kirk Boodry

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