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>The following is an in-depth review of the Japanese retail sector in 2021-22 and is designed to provide a complete overview for any investor in Japanese retail/consumer markets.</li>
<li>FY2021-22 proved a rebound year for retailers at the sector level. But on a company by company basis, there has been radical divergence between the best and the rest. </li>
<li>We look at the reasons for this divergence and the implications for Japanese retail and consumer firms in the years ahead.</li>
</ul>


The following is an in-depth review of the Japanese retail sector in 2021-22 and is designed to provide a complete overview for any investor in Japanese retail/consumer markets.
FY2021-22 proved a rebound year for retailers at the sector level. But on a company by company basis, there has been radical divergence between the best and the rest. 
We look at the reasons for this divergence and the implications for Japanese retail and consumer firms in the years ahead.


Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Today, City index Eleventh, the corporate entity often used by noted activist Yoshiaki Murakami, <a href="https://disclosure2dl.edinet-fsa.go.jp/searchdocument/pdf/S100QNNV.pdf?sv=2020-08-04&amp;st=2023-05-02T07%3A05%3A51Z&amp;se=2028-05-02T15%3A00%3A00Z&amp;sr=b&amp;sp=rl&amp;sig=afARroDJk2o5pdRBn3%2BnVJYzkyd267CM8bnqEKWebfA%3D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> (EDINET filing) they owned 1.756mm shares or 5.31% of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/arcland-service-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2392:1" rel="noopener">Arcland Service (3085 JP)</a> </li>
<li>In mid-April, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/arclands-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10395:1" rel="noopener">Arclands Corporation (9842 JP)</a> announced it would merge with 55%-owned restaurant subsidiary Arclands SHD. Murakami-owned 5+% of Arclands at the time. Then it sold 9842 and bought 3085.</li>
<li>This looks like a confusing set of moves. It is not as confusing when you think about it. He is setting up something for later.</li>
</ul>


Today, City index Eleventh, the corporate entity often used by noted activist Yoshiaki Murakami, announced (EDINET filing) they owned 1.756mm shares or 5.31% of Arcland Service (3085 JP) 
In mid-April, Arclands Corporation (9842 JP) announced it would merge with 55%-owned restaurant subsidiary Arclands SHD. Murakami-owned 5+% of Arclands at the time. Then it sold 9842 and bought 3085.
This looks like a confusing set of moves. It is not as confusing when you think about it. He is setting up something for later.


JAPAN ACTIVISM: Murakami-San Goes Substantial on Arcland SHD (3085) Ahead of Merger Vote Record Date

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

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.

<ul>
<li>We summarise the latest spreads and newsflow of merger arb situations we cover across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese ADRs.</li>
<li>Highest spreads - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/111-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27412:1" rel="noopener">111 Inc (YI US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/costa-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22632:1" rel="noopener">Costa Group Holdings (CGC AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/eoflow-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36100:1" rel="noopener">Eoflow (294090 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/enm-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16267:1" rel="noopener">ENM Holdings (128 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/symbio-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20292:1" rel="noopener">Symbio Holdings (SYM AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mason-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17664:1" rel="noopener">Mason Group Holdings (273 HK)</a>, JSR.</li>
<li>Lowest spreads - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/healius-ltd-6d4d947d-ad32-4aea-b2d8-265f5768b55e" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14208:1" rel="noopener">Healius (HLS AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toyo-construction-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1176:1" rel="noopener">Toyo Construction (1890 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/celltrion-healthcare-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23641:1" rel="noopener">Celltrion Healthcare (091990 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/t-k-toka-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18678:1" rel="noopener">T&amp;K Toka Co Ltd (4636 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yaizu-suisankagaku-industry" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20044:1" rel="noopener">Yaizu Suisankagaku Industry (2812 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sanei-architecture-planning" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2065:1" rel="noopener">Sanei Architecture Planning (3228 JP)</a>. </li>
</ul>


We summarise the latest spreads and newsflow of merger arb situations we cover across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese ADRs.
Highest spreads - 111 Inc (YI US), Costa Group Holdings (CGC AU), Eoflow (294090 KS), ENM Holdings (128 HK), Symbio Holdings (SYM AU), Mason Group Holdings (273 HK), JSR.
Lowest spreads - Healius (HLS AU), Toyo Construction (1890 JP), Celltrion Healthcare (091990 KS), T&amp;K Toka Co Ltd (4636 JP), Yaizu Suisankagaku Industry (2812 JP), Sanei Architecture Planning (3228 JP). 


Merger Arb Mondays (28 Aug) - Eoflow, UMW, Boustead, Costa, Estia, Pacific Current, Golden Eagle

<ul>
<li>We summarise the latest spreads and newsflow of merger arb situations we cover across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese ADRs.</li>
<li>Highest spreads - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/111-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27412:1" rel="noopener">111 Inc (YI US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/symbio-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20292:1" rel="noopener">Symbio Holdings (SYM AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/enm-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16267:1" rel="noopener">ENM Holdings (128 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/eoflow-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36100:1" rel="noopener">Eoflow (294090 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/orecorp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8120:1" rel="noopener">Orecorp Ltd (ORR AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mason-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17664:1" rel="noopener">Mason Group Holdings (273 HK)</a>, Costa Group.</li>
<li>Lowest spreads - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/healius-ltd-6d4d947d-ad32-4aea-b2d8-265f5768b55e" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14208:1" rel="noopener">Healius (HLS AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toyo-construction-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1176:1" rel="noopener">Toyo Construction (1890 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/celltrion-healthcare-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23641:1" rel="noopener">Celltrion Healthcare (091990 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yaizu-suisankagaku-industry" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20044:1" rel="noopener">Yaizu Suisankagaku Industry (2812 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kenedix-retail-reit-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:188:1" rel="noopener">Kenedix Retail REIT (3453 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/penguin-international-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10190:1" rel="noopener">Penguin International (PBS SP)</a>. </li>
</ul>


We summarise the latest spreads and newsflow of merger arb situations we cover across Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Chinese ADRs.
Highest spreads - 111 Inc (YI US), Symbio Holdings (SYM AU), ENM Holdings (128 HK), Eoflow (294090 KS), Orecorp Ltd (ORR AU), Mason Group Holdings (273 HK), Costa Group.
Lowest spreads - Healius (HLS AU), Toyo Construction (1890 JP), Celltrion Healthcare (091990 KS), Yaizu Suisankagaku Industry (2812 JP), Kenedix Retail REIT (3453 JP), Penguin International (PBS SP). 


Merger Arb Mondays (21 Aug) - Costa, OreCorp, Sanei, T&K Toka, Celltrion, Eoflow, Golden Eagle

Japan

Arclands Corporation operates home centers. The Company mainly sells home improvement products, household utensils, car and leisure products, gardening supplies, and other products. Arclands also operates restaurants management, DIY(Do It Yourself) products sales, real estate development, and other businesses.

Arclands Corporation (9842 JP)

Japanese Retailing 2021-22: What's Really Going on and What's Next?

There is increasing divergence between the winners and losers in Japanese retailing and the following in-depth review looks at performance in the...

Michael Causton

JAPAN ACTIVISM: Murakami-San Goes Substantial on Arcland SHD (3085) Ahead of Merger Vote Record Date

Murakami-san has gone substantial on merger target Arclands SHD (3085). He owned 5+% of the parent, then sold some. There may be a false flag here....

Travis Lundy

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

Merger Arb Mondays (28 Aug) - Eoflow, UMW, Boustead, Costa, Estia, Pacific Current, Golden Eagle

This week, the highest gross spreads are 111 (33.1%), Costa (19.6%), Eoflow (12.1%), ENM (11.5%), Symbio (9.9%), Mason (9.0%), JSR (7.3%), Poly...

Arun George

Merger Arb Mondays (21 Aug) - Costa, OreCorp, Sanei, T&K Toka, Celltrion, Eoflow, Golden Eagle

This week, the highest gross spreads are 111 (24.9%), Symbio (14.8%), ENM (11.5%), Eoflow (11.1%), Orecorp (9.3%), Mason (9.0%), Costa (7.6%), Poly...

Arun George