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. 

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Yaoko is now called Blue Zone Holdings, and is shaking up Japan’s supermarket landscape by acquiring two well-matched regional chains just weeks after its launch. </li>
<li>The company plans to accelerate plans to acquire other smaller supermarket chains to build out into a national chain.</li>
<li>The plan also signals a new wave of M&amp;A in the sector as barriers to supermarket consolidation finally start to fall.</li>
</ul>


Yaoko is now called Blue Zone Holdings, and is shaking up Japan’s supermarket landscape by acquiring two well-matched regional chains just weeks after its launch. 
The company plans to accelerate plans to acquire other smaller supermarket chains to build out into a national chain.
The plan also signals a new wave of M&amp;A in the sector as barriers to supermarket consolidation finally start to fall.


Yaoko Spearheads M&A Rush in Japanese Supermarket Sector

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>A lot has been said and written about Trial's IPO but much of this relates to pass performance and comparing it to supermarkets.</li>
<li>As the company's latest Trial Go store in Fukuoka shows,  Trial is a tech-based retailer and a true discounter, and discounting is where the growth is in Japanese FMCG.</li>
<li>Trial thinks its technology can reduce costs significantly, improving margins while allowing it to roll out more small format stores to compete with convenience stores. It may be right.</li>
</ul>


A lot has been said and written about Trial's IPO but much of this relates to pass performance and comparing it to supermarkets.
As the company's latest Trial Go store in Fukuoka shows,  Trial is a tech-based retailer and a true discounter, and discounting is where the growth is in Japanese FMCG.
Trial thinks its technology can reduce costs significantly, improving margins while allowing it to roll out more small format stores to compete with convenience stores. It may be right.


Trial IPO to Drive Tech Innovation Targeting Convenience Stores

<ul>
<li>Last year saw the consolidation of several supermarket chains in Shikoku and Chugoku by Aeon, creating Japan’s largest supermarket group. </li>
<li>Now, Aeon has now announced that it will expand its existing stake in Inageya, rolling the company into USMH and creating another, even larger food operation and Japan's biggest yet.</li>
<li>Aeon is looking for dominance in Tokyo and may seek more acquisitions but rivals are unlikely to give it a free hand nor say no to acquisitions of their own.</li>
</ul>


Last year saw the consolidation of several supermarket chains in Shikoku and Chugoku by Aeon, creating Japan’s largest supermarket group. 
Now, Aeon has now announced that it will expand its existing stake in Inageya, rolling the company into USMH and creating another, even larger food operation and Japan's biggest yet.
Aeon is looking for dominance in Tokyo and may seek more acquisitions but rivals are unlikely to give it a free hand nor say no to acquisitions of their own.


Aeon Will Own Japan’s Two Largest Supermarket Groups with Inageya Purchase

Director, Head of Research, Smartkarma

Pranav Rao

Director, Head of Research

Smartkarma

Smartkarma unites the fragmented investment industry, connecting institutional investors, independent research providers, and corporates within a single network.

Research Reinvented

<ul>
<li>Welcome to Curator’s Cut — a fortnightly roundup of standout themes from the 1,500+ insights published on Smartkarma.</li>
<li>In this cut, we review CATL's H-share lock-up expiry, iron ore equity opportunities in the face of Simandou's expected supply, and the accelerating consolidation in Japan's consumer sector.</li>
<li>Want to dig deeper? Comment or message with the themes you’d like to see highlighted next.</li>
</ul>


Welcome to Curator’s Cut — a fortnightly roundup of standout themes from the 1,500+ insights published on Smartkarma.
In this cut, we review CATL's H-share lock-up expiry, iron ore equity opportunities in the face of Simandou's expected supply, and the accelerating consolidation in Japan's consumer sector.
Want to dig deeper? Comment or message with the themes you’d like to see highlighted next.


Curator's Cut: Powering Down CATL, Iron Ore Plays & Japan Consumer Consolidation

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>Given the size of Mandi - relative to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/3sbio-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:459:1" rel="noopener">3SBio Inc (1530 HK)</a> - higher market multiples for its in-specie spin-off may have a limited impact on the overall valuation.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/contemporary-amperex-technology-catl-co-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:45179:1" rel="noopener">CATL (3750 HK)</a>  raised around US$5.2bn in its H-share listing in May 2025. The last day for their lockup was the 19th November 2025.</li>
<li>While <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grindr-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:37106:1" rel="noopener">Grindr (GRND US)</a> Special Committee considers the MBO proposal, chairman James Lu has unusually opted to step down. And sell shares below the NBIO price. </li>
</ul>


Given the size of Mandi - relative to 3SBio Inc (1530 HK) - higher market multiples for its in-specie spin-off may have a limited impact on the overall valuation.

CATL (3750 HK)  raised around US$5.2bn in its H-share listing in May 2025. The last day for their lockup was the 19th November 2025.
While Grindr (GRND US) Special Committee considers the MBO proposal, chairman James Lu has unusually opted to step down. And sell shares below the NBIO price. 


Last Week In Event SPACE: 3SBio/Mandi, CATL, Grindr, Mandarin Oriental

Japan

Blue Zones Holdings Co.,Ltd. operates supermarkets. The Company sells groceries, household goods, and other home-related products. Blue Zones Holdings conducts businesses in Japan.

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Blue Zones Holdings (417A JP)

Yaoko Spearheads M&A Rush in Japanese Supermarket Sector

Blue Zone Holdings (Yaoko), is expanding in by acquiring regional chains, with plans to become a national chain through further M&A, part of a new...

Michael Causton

Trial IPO to Drive Tech Innovation Targeting Convenience Stores

Trial failed to complete an IPO and is now going again and the same fundamentals outlined in this insight apply today as it is a long-term viewpoint.

Michael Causton

Aeon Will Own Japan’s Two Largest Supermarket Groups with Inageya Purchase

Aeon will buy a majority stake in Inageya, consolidating its market share in the Tokyo region just as Seven & I has confirmed a focus on the Tokyo...

Michael Causton

Curator's Cut: Powering Down CATL, Iron Ore Plays & Japan Consumer Consolidation

This Curator's Cut highlights CATL's premium powering down, iron ore opportunities even as Simandou goes live, and Japan's consumer sector...

Pranav Rao

Last Week In Event SPACE: 3SBio/Mandi, CATL, Grindr, Mandarin Oriental

It’s Sunday! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed during the...

David Blennerhassett

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Yaoko Spearheads M&A Rush in Japanese Supermarket Sector

​Blue Zone Holdings (Yaoko), is expanding in by acquiring regional chains, with plans to become a national chain through further M&A, part of a new...

Michael Causton

Trial IPO to Drive Tech Innovation Targeting Convenience Stores

Trial failed to complete an IPO and is now going again and the same fundamentals outlined in this insight apply today as it is a long-term viewpoint.

Michael Causton

Aeon Will Own Japan’s Two Largest Supermarket Groups with Inageya Purchase

Aeon will buy a majority stake in Inageya, consolidating its market share in the Tokyo region just as Seven & I has confirmed a focus on the Tokyo...

Michael Causton

Curator's Cut: Powering Down CATL, Iron Ore Plays & Japan Consumer Consolidation

This ​Curator's Cut highlights CATL's premium powering down, iron ore opportunities even as Simandou goes live, and Japan's consumer sector...

Pranav Rao

Last Week In Event SPACE: 3SBio/Mandi, CATL, Grindr, Mandarin Oriental

It’s Sunday! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed during the...

David Blennerhassett

Blue Zone Holdings (Yaoko), is expanding in by acquiring regional chains, with plans to become a national chain through further M&A, part of a new...

This Curator's Cut highlights CATL's premium powering down, iron ore opportunities even as Simandou goes live, and Japan's consumer sector...