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

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/welcia-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20895:1" rel="noopener">Welcia Holdings (3141 JP)</a> remains Japan’s largest drugstore group and continues to expand relentlessly. In addition to breaking 2,200 stores, last year it hired a large proportion of all the newly qualified pharmacists in Japan. The cost of this has caused some analysts to worry about short-term profitability, but if it can keep up the pace (and <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>, its parent, will ensure it does), competitors may find it hard to keep up.

Welcia Holdings (3141 JP) remains Japan’s largest drugstore group and continues to expand relentlessly. In addition to breaking 2,200 stores, last year it hired a large proportion of all the newly qualified pharmacists in Japan. The cost of this has caused some analysts to worry about short-term profitability, but if it can keep up the pace (and Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP), its parent, will ensure it does), competitors may find it hard to keep up.

There are few discount supermarkets in Japan and the largest by far is Kobe Bussan’s Gyomu Super franchise chain.
Despite its no frills presentation and reliance on frozen foods, over the past 12 months, prices that are up to half that charged at mainstream chains have drawn in more customers and across a wider age range.
The company is now expecting yet another record performance this year.
When we first recommend Kobe Bussan in October 2018, the share price stood at around ¥780 and has risen to ¥4,080 since. This isn't cheap but given the five year growth potential, we remain bullish about the fundamentals long-term.

There are few discount supermarkets in Japan and the largest by far is Kobe Bussan’s Gyomu Super franchise chain.
Despite its no frills presentation and reliance on frozen foods, over the past 12 months, prices that are up to half that charged at mainstream chains have drawn in more customers and across a wider age range.
The company is now expecting yet another record performance this year.
When we first recommend Kobe Bussan in October 2018, the share price stood at around ¥780 and has risen to ¥4,080 since. This isn't cheap but given the five year growth potential, we remain bullish about the fundamentals long-term.

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/metro-ag" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21673:1" rel="noopener">METRO AG (MEO GR)</a> will close its Japan operations at the end of October. It follows <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/carrefour-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21409:1" rel="noopener">Carrefour SA (CA FP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tesco-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22187:1" rel="noopener">Tesco PLC (TSCO LN)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/walmart-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11134:1" rel="noopener">Walmart (WMT US)</a> as the latest major international player to try and fail in the Japanese market and leaves Costco as the only international chain retailer – but a clearly successful one at least.

METRO AG (MEO GR) will close its Japan operations at the end of October. It follows Carrefour SA (CA FP), Tesco PLC (TSCO LN) and Walmart (WMT US) as the latest major international player to try and fail in the Japanese market and leaves Costco as the only international chain retailer – but a clearly successful one at least. 

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Last Week in Event SPACE: Shinsei Bank, Hongkong Land, SOHO China, Bank Rakyat, Oil Search, JCNC

Index Rebal Trades & Special Situations, Quiddity Advisors

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

Index Rebal Trades & Special Situations

<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>-controlled supermarket companies <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fuji-co-ltd-ehime" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11419:1" rel="noopener">Fuji Co Ltd (8278 JP)</a> ("Fuji") and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/maxvalu-nishinihon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13743:1" rel="noopener">Maxvalu Nishinihon (8287 JP)</a> ("MVNN") announced they had agreed to merge in a long-dated transaction which will complete in March 2024.Prior to that, both companies will establish a joint holding company to become a consolidated subsidiary of Aeon and integrate the management. This process is expected to be completed by March 2022. Below is a closer look at the details of this transaction.  <hr><div><div>For more information about M&amp;A rules, regulations, and practices in Japan, please refer to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/quiddity-japan-m-a-guide-2019" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:28911" rel="noopener">Quiddity Japan M&amp;A Guide 2019</a> </div></div>

Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP)-controlled supermarket companies Fuji Co Ltd (8278 JP) ("Fuji") and Maxvalu Nishinihon (8287 JP) ("MVNN") announced they had agreed to merge in a long-dated transaction which will complete in March 2024.Prior to that, both companies will establish a joint holding company to become a consolidated subsidiary of Aeon and integrate the management. This process is expected to be completed by March 2022. Below is a closer look at the details of this transaction.  For more information about M&amp;A rules, regulations, and practices in Japan, please refer to Quiddity Japan M&amp;A Guide 2019 

Fuji (8278) & Maxvalu Nishinihon (8287): Aeon Family Supermarket Integration

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)

Welcia: Aeon’s Shining Star

Welcia has retained the top spot in drugstores and, judging by its aggressive hiring of pharmacists is determined to stay there. It is working on...

Michael Causton

Kobe Bussan: Achieving New Records

Japan's discount food market is booming. The biggest discount supermarket operator is Kobe Bussan. The share price has around 6-fold since we first...

Michael Causton

Metro Cash and Carry to Exit Japan

One of the few foreign players in Japan's food market has confirmed it will quit the market. Only Costco remains although Amazon is expanding its...

Michael Causton

Last Week in Event SPACE: Shinsei Bank, Hongkong Land, SOHO China, Bank Rakyat, Oil Search, JCNC

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

Fuji (8278) & Maxvalu Nishinihon (8287): Aeon Family Supermarket Integration

The large number of Maxvalu listed subs dwindles as Aeon slowly executes mergers and integrations. This time Fuji will take over MVNN. This will...

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

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