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>Seven &amp; I has announced major restructuring of its struggling Ito-Yokado GMS chain – a company that big investors have long demanded be sold off entirely. </li>
<li>The latest round of cuts had to wait until the company’s founder finally passed away, although are likely not going to be the last.</li>
<li>Seven &amp; I has long had a coherent plan to rationalise - but was just waiting for the founder to pass – with a series of disposals now likely.</li>
</ul>


Seven &amp; I has announced major restructuring of its struggling Ito-Yokado GMS chain – a company that big investors have long demanded be sold off entirely. 
The latest round of cuts had to wait until the company’s founder finally passed away, although are likely not going to be the last.
Seven &amp; I has long had a coherent plan to rationalise - but was just waiting for the founder to pass – with a series of disposals now likely.


Seven & I: The Biggest Barrier to Change Has Gone

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The pre-conditional Scheme from its founders and CVC for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/razer-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24380:1" rel="noopener">Razer (1337 HK)</a> at $2.82/share, is a 55.8% premium to the undisturbed price, but below the 2017 IPO price of $3.88.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ck-hutchison-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:132:1" rel="noopener">CK Hutchison Holdings (1 HK)</a>'s implied stub and the simple ratio (CKH/ <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ck-infrastructure-holdings-l" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:163:1" rel="noopener">CK Infrastructure Holdings (1038 HK)</a>) are currently at an all-time low.</li>
<li>The local government is now getting practically involved in the resolution of the financial problems of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-evergrande-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:479:1" rel="noopener">Evergrande (3333 HK)</a>and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-evergrande-new-energy-vehicle-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:713:1" rel="noopener">Evergrande Auto (708 HK)</a>. </li>
</ul>


The pre-conditional Scheme from its founders and CVC for Razer (1337 HK) at $2.82/share, is a 55.8% premium to the undisturbed price, but below the 2017 IPO price of $3.88.

CK Hutchison Holdings (1 HK)'s implied stub and the simple ratio (CKH/ CK Infrastructure Holdings (1038 HK)) are currently at an all-time low.
The local government is now getting practically involved in the resolution of the financial problems of Evergrande (3333 HK)and Evergrande Auto (708 HK). 


Last Week in Event SPACE: Razer Inc, Evergrande Land/Auto, CK Hutchison, Grab SPAC

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

The following is an in-depth review of Japanese retail in the last 18 months covering all the main formats and categories, providing a quick way to see an overview of all the key trends and winners and losers in Japanese retailing now and going forward.FY2020 was an anomaly and one that businesses everywhere will want to forget and never repeat. There was more than enough pain among Japan’s top retailers last year, but equally some formats did surprisingly well given the circumstances.For most, work-from-home was the single most important factor in determining a chain’s fortunes. City-centre stores and shopping centres offering mostly discretionary shopping have been hit hard, as have convenience stores.But those chains selling essentials, healthcare, electronics and, most importantly, food, all saw their fortunes improve. The pandemic has also revealed the strong, dynamic players and exposed the weaker ones. Oh, and everyone needs to be online.

The following is an in-depth review of Japanese retail in the last 18 months covering all the main formats and categories, providing a quick way to see an overview of all the key trends and winners and losers in Japanese retailing now and going forward.FY2020 was an anomaly and one that businesses everywhere will want to forget and never repeat. There was more than enough pain among Japan’s top retailers last year, but equally some formats did surprisingly well given the circumstances.For most, work-from-home was the single most important factor in determining a chain’s fortunes. City-centre stores and shopping centres offering mostly discretionary shopping have been hit hard, as have convenience stores.But those chains selling essentials, healthcare, electronics and, most importantly, food, all saw their fortunes improve. The pandemic has also revealed the strong, dynamic players and exposed the weaker ones. Oh, and everyone needs to be online.

The Polarising Pandemic in Japanese Retail

Japan’s retail and distribution sector has long been seen as fragmented, even to the point of being accused of inefficiency. On the surface, concentration levels do remain low, but scratch that surface and a very different picture emerges.
By format and by category sector, larger companies are taking increasing share and, over the past five years, this trend has accelerated.
Now, given the pressures of Covid, there is ample opportunity for stronger players to gain ground by buying out weaker ones, while some mid-level companies are joining together, hoping to become a fish too big to swallow.
Business tie-ups are also increasing in number, particularly as physical retailers seek to bring in and learn skills necessary to succeed in e-commerce and to build omnichannel models.
The following is a detailed review of how concentration has increased along with a map of who own who in retailing today.
There is a strong possibility that we could see some really big deals, even ones that span format and geographical borders, as many mid-sized retailers recognise that independent survival is getting hard. Acquirers will use the current environment to diversify into new areas, expand volumes and market share, or simply acquire more retail property for long-term development.

Japan’s retail and distribution sector has long been seen as fragmented, even to the point of being accused of inefficiency. On the surface, concentration levels do remain low, but scratch that surface and a very different picture emerges.
By format and by category sector, larger companies are taking increasing share and, over the past five years, this trend has accelerated.
Now, given the pressures of Covid, there is ample opportunity for stronger players to gain ground by buying out weaker ones, while some mid-level companies are joining together, hoping to become a fish too big to swallow.
Business tie-ups are also increasing in number, particularly as physical retailers seek to bring in and learn skills necessary to succeed in e-commerce and to build omnichannel models.
The following is a detailed review of how concentration has increased along with a map of who own who in retailing today.
There is a strong possibility that we could see some really big deals, even ones that span format and geographical borders, as many mid-sized retailers recognise that independent survival is getting hard. Acquirers will use the current environment to diversify into new areas, expand volumes and market share, or simply acquire more retail property for long-term development.

Who Owns Who: Concentration Levels Accelerate in Japan Retail, with More M&A to Come

<ul>
<li>Seven &amp; I's plans to consolidate its supermarket operations and list in 2027 remain speculative but the timing shows that management was swayed more by the founder's death than activists.</li>
<li>It will need to bring Ito-Yokado (IY) back to profit first and, although it wants to keep at least a 15% stake, there is the strong possibility of a sale.</li>
<li>What matters more is not IY stores but the new SIP format. With CVS saturated, SIP is only way to grow within Japan but this depends on Ito-Yokado supply chains.</li>
</ul>


Seven &amp; I's plans to consolidate its supermarket operations and list in 2027 remain speculative but the timing shows that management was swayed more by the founder's death than activists.
It will need to bring Ito-Yokado (IY) back to profit first and, although it wants to keep at least a 15% stake, there is the strong possibility of a sale.
What matters more is not IY stores but the new SIP format. With CVS saturated, SIP is only way to grow within Japan but this depends on Ito-Yokado supply chains.


Seven & I Letting Go of Ito-Yokado at Last?

Japan

AEON CO., LTD. operates general merchandise stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores throughout Japan. The Company is also engaged in women's and casual clothing store business, development business of commercial property, and financing service through the subsidiaries.

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

Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP)

Seven & I: The Biggest Barrier to Change Has Gone

Activist investors complain about the lack of change at Seven & I but fealty to the founder was always stronger. That has now gone and a lot of...

Michael Causton

Last Week in Event SPACE: Razer Inc, Evergrande Land/Auto, CK Hutchison, Grab SPAC

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

The Polarising Pandemic in Japanese Retail

A complete review of the Japanese retail sector in the last 18 months, format by format, category by category, providing key trends and winners &...

Michael Causton

Who Owns Who: Concentration Levels Accelerate in Japan Retail, with More M&A to Come

Japanese retail is in the process of extensive concentration and market consolidation through M&A, organic expansion and tie-ups. Numerous...

Michael Causton

Seven & I Letting Go of Ito-Yokado at Last?

Seven may consolidate supermarket operations and list in 2027 but will need to make Ito-Yokado profitable and outright sale may be more likely,...

Michael Causton

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Seven & I: The Biggest Barrier to Change Has Gone

Activist investors complain about the lack of change at Seven & I but fealty to the founder was always stronger. That has now gone and a lot of...

Michael Causton

Last Week in Event SPACE: Razer Inc, Evergrande Land/Auto, CK Hutchison, Grab SPAC

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

The Polarising Pandemic in Japanese Retail

A complete review of the Japanese retail sector in the last 18 months, format by format, category by category, providing key trends and winners &...

Michael Causton

Who Owns Who: Concentration Levels Accelerate in Japan Retail, with More M&A to Come

Japanese retail is in the process of extensive concentration and market consolidation through M&A, organic expansion and tie-ups. Numerous...

Michael Causton

Seven & I Letting Go of Ito-Yokado at Last?

​Seven may consolidate supermarket operations and list in 2027 but will need to make Ito-Yokado profitable and outright sale may be more likely,...

Michael Causton

Seven may consolidate supermarket operations and list in 2027 but will need to make Ito-Yokado profitable and outright sale may be more likely,...