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)

<ul>
<li>Consumer distribution has been transformed since 2020 through accelerated concentration of market share. While some has come about through organic growth, the real drivers have been M&amp;A and MBOs. </li>
<li>The result is a realignment of the retail leader board as companies like PPI, Welcia and Trial buy their way to the top, while others, notably Seven &amp; I, shrink.</li>
<li>Here we identify the retail leaders in driving consolidation going forward, and the intensifying pressure on both smaller retailers and the wholesalers that supply them.</li>
</ul>


Consumer distribution has been transformed since 2020 through accelerated concentration of market share. While some has come about through organic growth, the real drivers have been M&amp;A and MBOs. 
The result is a realignment of the retail leader board as companies like PPI, Welcia and Trial buy their way to the top, while others, notably Seven &amp; I, shrink.
Here we identify the retail leaders in driving consolidation going forward, and the intensifying pressure on both smaller retailers and the wholesalers that supply them.


[Japan M&A] Who Owns Who: The Growing Concentration of Power in Japanese Consumer Markets

Equity Bottom-Up

Honeys Holdings Co., Ltd. / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Low cost apparel retailers have enjoyed a significant uptick in the past few years as consumers look to polarise their spending further between cheaper basics and luxury treats. </li>
<li>But the real change is in improving profitability. One the biggest beneficiaries has been Honeys, a low cost womenswear retailer that has seen a revival in the past few years.</li>
<li>Operating profit has tripled since 2018. Can it last? Work on creating its own low cost manufacturing base suggests it can.</li>
</ul>


Low cost apparel retailers have enjoyed a significant uptick in the past few years as consumers look to polarise their spending further between cheaper basics and luxury treats. 
But the real change is in improving profitability. One the biggest beneficiaries has been Honeys, a low cost womenswear retailer that has seen a revival in the past few years.
Operating profit has tripled since 2018. Can it last? Work on creating its own low cost manufacturing base suggests it can.


<ul>
<li>Ryohin Keikaku's biggest weakness is its unwieldy and expensive supply chains, with hundreds of suppliers across its three main categories of household, apparel and food.</li>
<li>The Muji operator just acquired a large team from one of its principle clothing supply partners, Mitsubishi, to finally streamline its supply chains and improve cost performance in clothing. </li>
<li>This should have a positive impact on its cost of goods, margins and inventory levels, allowing for quicker responses to trends at a lower price at home and overseas.</li>
</ul>


Ryohin Keikaku's biggest weakness is its unwieldy and expensive supply chains, with hundreds of suppliers across its three main categories of household, apparel and food.
The Muji operator just acquired a large team from one of its principle clothing supply partners, Mitsubishi, to finally streamline its supply chains and improve cost performance in clothing. 
This should have a positive impact on its cost of goods, margins and inventory levels, allowing for quicker responses to trends at a lower price at home and overseas.


Ryohin Keikaku: Finally Fixing Its Biggest Weakness?

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tsi-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19259:1" rel="noopener">Tsi Holdings (3608 JP)</a> and <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> will merge into INFINITY UNITED via a joint share transfer, with TSI holders receiving 0.8 new shares each (a 4.0% premium).</li>
<li>The ratio is broadly fair to TSI shareholders but leaves value on the table; its fairness depends on confidence in TSI’s FY27–28 recovery plan.</li>
<li>Both EGMs on 24 December should pass. The trade is long 1 TSI and short 0.8 World, yielding roughly 20% annualised before borrowing costs.</li>
</ul>



Tsi Holdings (3608 JP) and World Co Ltd (3612 JP) will merge into INFINITY UNITED via a joint share transfer, with TSI holders receiving 0.8 new shares each (a 4.0% premium).
The ratio is broadly fair to TSI shareholders but leaves value on the table; its fairness depends on confidence in TSI’s FY27–28 recovery plan.
Both EGMs on 24 December should pass. The trade is long 1 TSI and short 0.8 World, yielding roughly 20% annualised before borrowing costs.


TSI (3608 JP) And World (3612 JP) To Merge: Broadly Fair Terms for TSI, but Value Left on the Table

<ul>
<li>And ST’s online platform is becoming a popular channel for third-party brands. </li>
<li>It is increasingly regarded by the company as the future core of its business, not only in fashion but in other lifestyle products. </li>
<li>And ST is also signing more overseas brands to build up its portfolio.</li>
</ul>


And ST’s online platform is becoming a popular channel for third-party brands. 
It is increasingly regarded by the company as the future core of its business, not only in fashion but in other lifestyle products. 
And ST is also signing more overseas brands to build up its portfolio.


And ST (Adastria) Expands Mall Platform in Bid for ¥400 Billion in Sales

Japan

and ST HD Co Ltd operates a chain of clothing stores in Japan. The Company also operates stores in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea.

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

And ST HD Co Ltd (2685 JP)

[Japan M&A] Who Owns Who: The Growing Concentration of Power in Japanese Consumer Markets

Consumer distribution has shifted post-2020, with market concentration driven by M&A and MBOs. We identify the leaders of this consolidation,...

Michael Causton

Sweet Honeys: A Profit Machine

Low cost apparel retailers are seeing increased profitability, with Honeys leading the way through a revival and focus on creating a low cost...

Michael Causton

Ryohin Keikaku: Finally Fixing Its Biggest Weakness?

Muji operator Ryohin Keikaku looks set to improve its supply chains and cost performance in clothing by acquiring a team from Mitsubishi, leading...

Michael Causton

TSI (3608 JP) And World (3612 JP) To Merge: Broadly Fair Terms for TSI, but Value Left on the Table

TSI and World merge into INFINITY UNITED at 0.8x (4% premium). Terms are broadly fair to TSI; votes should pass. Long TSI/short 0.8 World yields...

Arun George

And ST (Adastria) Expands Mall Platform in Bid for ¥400 Billion in Sales

ST's online platform is now popular with third-party brands, and seen as the future of the company's business in fashion and other lifestyle...

Michael Causton

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

[Japan M&A] Who Owns Who: The Growing Concentration of Power in Japanese Consumer Markets

​Consumer distribution has shifted post-2020, with market concentration driven by M&A and MBOs. We identify the leaders of this consolidation,...

Michael Causton

Sweet Honeys: A Profit Machine

​Low cost apparel retailers are seeing increased profitability, with Honeys leading the way through a revival and focus on creating a low cost...

Michael Causton

Ryohin Keikaku: Finally Fixing Its Biggest Weakness?

​Muji operator Ryohin Keikaku looks set to improve its supply chains and cost performance in clothing by acquiring a team from Mitsubishi, leading...

Michael Causton

TSI (3608 JP) And World (3612 JP) To Merge: Broadly Fair Terms for TSI, but Value Left on the Table

TSI and World merge into INFINITY UNITED at 0.8x (4% premium). Terms are broadly fair to TSI; votes should pass. Long TSI/short 0.8 World yields...

Arun George

And ST (Adastria) Expands Mall Platform in Bid for ¥400 Billion in Sales

​ST's online platform is now popular with third-party brands, and seen as the future of the company's business in fashion and other lifestyle...

Michael Causton

Consumer distribution has shifted post-2020, with market concentration driven by M&A and MBOs. We identify the leaders of this consolidation,...

Low cost apparel retailers are seeing increased profitability, with Honeys leading the way through a revival and focus on creating a low cost...

Muji operator Ryohin Keikaku looks set to improve its supply chains and cost performance in clothing by acquiring a team from Mitsubishi, leading...

ST's online platform is now popular with third-party brands, and seen as the future of the company's business in fashion and other lifestyle...