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. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

Supermarkets were much better prepared for Japan’s second state of emergency compared to the first last Spring. Most now have systems in place, both to make shopping safe and quick in stores, but also to offer a robust online ordering model.There is now an opportunity for the best mid-sized chains to shine, with companies like Yaoko suggesting those customers used to ordering at the bigger online stores are switching to ordering from local chains.

Supermarkets were much better prepared for Japan’s second state of emergency compared to the first last Spring. Most now have systems in place, both to make shopping safe and quick in stores, but also to offer a robust online ordering model.There is now an opportunity for the best mid-sized chains to shine, with companies like Yaoko suggesting those customers used to ordering at the bigger online stores are switching to ordering from local chains.

2nd Emergency Means New Opportunities for Supermarkets

Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/world-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27437:1" rel="noopener">World Co Ltd (3612 JP)</a> is working hard to diversify from its dependence on the mid-level fashion market as both its department store and shopping centre brands retreat in the face of competition and lower apparel consumption.But it needs to fill the empty concessions in department stores and one solution is the UK brand, Laura Ashley, which it is now launching in Japan with plans for 30 stores soon.This is not enough however. While World cancelled five brands and several hundred shops last August, we argued it would need to do more and it has just confirmed it will close another 450 stores and ask for another 100 voluntary redundancies.Meanwhile sales continue to plummet, down nearly 40% in January.

World Co Ltd (3612 JP) is working hard to diversify from its dependence on the mid-level fashion market as both its department store and shopping centre brands retreat in the face of competition and lower apparel consumption.But it needs to fill the empty concessions in department stores and one solution is the UK brand, Laura Ashley, which it is now launching in Japan with plans for 30 stores soon.This is not enough however. While World cancelled five brands and several hundred shops last August, we argued it would need to do more and it has just confirmed it will close another 450 stores and ask for another 100 voluntary redundancies.Meanwhile sales continue to plummet, down nearly 40% in January. 

World Launches Laura Ashley Chain but It Is Not Enough

Just a month after <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meganesuper-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14070:1" rel="noopener">Meganesuper (3318 JP)</a> said it was switching from opening new physical stores to mobile ones, other retailers are following suit. With Covid-19 infections reaching new records in Japan in December, taking the shop to the consumers is looking like an attractive option, rather than hoping that a few might make it out to stores,  and a visiting store-in-a-truck should help less mobile customers too.

Just a month after Meganesuper (3318 JP) said it was switching from opening new physical stores to mobile ones, other retailers are following suit. With Covid-19 infections reaching new records in Japan in December, taking the shop to the consumers is looking like an attractive option, rather than hoping that a few might make it out to stores,  and a visiting store-in-a-truck should help less mobile customers too. 

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Last Week in Event SPACE:  Bingo Ind., Tokyo Rope, Pressance, Engineers India, Kuaishou Tech, SPACs

The Japanese sports retail market has traditionally been dominated by four big retailers, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alpen-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17762:1" rel="noopener">Alpen Co Ltd (3028 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xebio-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13955:1" rel="noopener">Xebio Holdings (8281 JP)</a>, Mega Sports (owned by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3:1" rel="noopener">Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP))</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/himaraya-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5307:1" rel="noopener">Himaraya Co Ltd (7514 JP)</a>. With <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsubishi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20668:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP)'s</a> financial and supply chain support, Himaraya overtook Mega Sports a few years ago but Himaraya’s sales have since contracted and Mitsubishi gradually reduced its stake while still retaining its core supply role.Mitsubishi will now divest all shares and end its supply relationship too, leaving Himaraya open to takeover.Given that sports/outdoor is one of the few sure growth markets, Himaraya won’t lack for potential suitors.This is a time of transition for the big multi-brand sports retailers. The number of stores increased up to 2018 but last year the total number of stores began to contract for the first time since 1990 with new competitors emerging, including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/workman-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8467:1" rel="noopener">Workman Co Ltd (7564 JP)</a> and Decathlon.

The Japanese sports retail market has traditionally been dominated by four big retailers, Alpen Co Ltd (3028 JP), Xebio Holdings (8281 JP), Mega Sports (owned by Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP)) and Himaraya Co Ltd (7514 JP). With Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP)'s financial and supply chain support, Himaraya overtook Mega Sports a few years ago but Himaraya’s sales have since contracted and Mitsubishi gradually reduced its stake while still retaining its core supply role.Mitsubishi will now divest all shares and end its supply relationship too, leaving Himaraya open to takeover.Given that sports/outdoor is one of the few sure growth markets, Himaraya won’t lack for potential suitors.This is a time of transition for the big multi-brand sports retailers. The number of stores increased up to 2018 but last year the total number of stores began to contract for the first time since 1990 with new competitors emerging, including Workman Co Ltd (7564 JP) and Decathlon.

Japan Sports Retail in Flux as Mitsubishi Ditches Himaraya

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.

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Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP)

2nd Emergency Means New Opportunities for Supermarkets

Japanese supermarkets suffered from genteel decline in the decade to 2020. And then Covid-19 forced everyone home, resulting in a propensity to...

Michael Causton

World Launches Laura Ashley Chain but It Is Not Enough

World is one of Japan's largest apparel firms and is fighting for survival, cutting brands while diversifying. Its purchase of a franchise for...

Michael Causton

Mobile Shops and Flexible Delivery

Mobile stores are an increasing phenomenon in Japan. They are a solution to Japan's ageing population but also allow retailers to take their wares...

Michael Causton

Last Week in Event SPACE: Bingo Ind., Tokyo Rope, Pressance, Engineers India, Kuaishou Tech, SPACs

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

Japan Sports Retail in Flux as Mitsubishi Ditches Himaraya

Mitsubishi will divest its long-standing holding in sports retailer, Himaraya. With the sports retail market in flux, Himaraya is a likely target...

Michael Causton

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