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)

Inevitably, there were widespread problems throughout the Japanese retail sector in 2020, and with drugstores and supermarkets suffering a relative decline in the first quarter of 2021, things are still yet to improve. Department stores were hit hardest, with convenience stores also suffering their worst year on record but, in contrast, big specialty formats and supermarkets had a good year. The three big specialty sectors, electronics, drugstores and home centres, all had excellent years in 2020, as did supermarkets.Although incomes were robust, consumption declined, meaning that savings accounts are fuller than ever before, promising a surge in spending once confidence returns.

Inevitably, there were widespread problems throughout the Japanese retail sector in 2020, and with drugstores and supermarkets suffering a relative decline in the first quarter of 2021, things are still yet to improve. Department stores were hit hardest, with convenience stores also suffering their worst year on record but, in contrast, big specialty formats and supermarkets had a good year. The three big specialty sectors, electronics, drugstores and home centres, all had excellent years in 2020, as did supermarkets.Although incomes were robust, consumption declined, meaning that savings accounts are fuller than ever before, promising a surge in spending once confidence returns.

FY2020 Proves Better than Expected for Japan Retail but Savings Surge

The following is an in-depth review of the retail sector by format with a brief overview of incomes and consumption trends and metrics before that. For any investor looking at the Japanese consumer/retail space, this insight will provide a rapid overview of all the major trends.2020 was a year to remember, although not for good reasons. While the news was overwhelmingly negative given the devastation that the pandemic caused to so many lives, for Japan as a country the experience could become a catalyst to spur positive change.No matter how much we might never wish to repeat the last 12 months, those governments and companies that learn from the experience will be better positioned whenever a new pandemic emerges.Department stores, convenience stores, and most fashion chains had a horrible year as so many people stayed away from major shopping areas, but many other retailers actually had stellar years, with further upside still to come.

The following is an in-depth review of the retail sector by format with a brief overview of incomes and consumption trends and metrics before that. For any investor looking at the Japanese consumer/retail space, this insight will provide a rapid overview of all the major trends.2020 was a year to remember, although not for good reasons. While the news was overwhelmingly negative given the devastation that the pandemic caused to so many lives, for Japan as a country the experience could become a catalyst to spur positive change.No matter how much we might never wish to repeat the last 12 months, those governments and companies that learn from the experience will be better positioned whenever a new pandemic emerges.Department stores, convenience stores, and most fashion chains had a horrible year as so many people stayed away from major shopping areas, but many other retailers actually had stellar years, with further upside still to come. 

Japan Retail Full Review 2020-2021: Some Retail Sectors Outperform in a Pandemic

Lopia is a small unlisted supermarket chain but we cover this here to demonstrate the following that discount supermarkets have in Japan, pointing to further growth for listed companies in this sector such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kobe-bussan-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4701:1" rel="noopener">Kobe Bussan (3038 JP),</a> <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pan-pacific-international-holdings-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13475:1" rel="noopener">Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP),</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cosmos-pharmaceutical-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3797:1" rel="noopener">Cosmos Pharmaceutical (3349 JP).</a>
With average sales growth of 18% a year since 2011, Lopia is a rising star. Alongside OK Super, another unlisted chain, Lopia has proven that aggressive and consistent low prices work in Japan, and that careful cost control can provide profits even at low margins. It is a chain to watch as it is likely to list at some point, with a target of ¥1 trillion sales by the end of the next decade.
Its success is also a worry for <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>. Aeon has seen its share of food sales in the greater Tokyo region fall from 10.8% to 9.7%, overtaken by OK Super which increased from 8% to 10.9%, a jump of 2.9 points. Lopia is half the size of OK Super but has also grown from 1.2% to 2.9% in the same period, more than doubling its effective share. Aeon is <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/new-aeon-style-format-shows-hope-for-aeon-s-core-business" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fighting back</a> but still does not compete on price.

Lopia is a small unlisted supermarket chain but we cover this here to demonstrate the following that discount supermarkets have in Japan, pointing to further growth for listed companies in this sector such as Kobe Bussan (3038 JP), Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP), and Cosmos Pharmaceutical (3349 JP).
With average sales growth of 18% a year since 2011, Lopia is a rising star. Alongside OK Super, another unlisted chain, Lopia has proven that aggressive and consistent low prices work in Japan, and that careful cost control can provide profits even at low margins. It is a chain to watch as it is likely to list at some point, with a target of ¥1 trillion sales by the end of the next decade.
Its success is also a worry for Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP). Aeon has seen its share of food sales in the greater Tokyo region fall from 10.8% to 9.7%, overtaken by OK Super which increased from 8% to 10.9%, a jump of 2.9 points. Lopia is half the size of OK Super but has also grown from 1.2% to 2.9% in the same period, more than doubling its effective share. Aeon is fighting back but still does not compete on price.

Why Discount Works in Japan: Lopia, Tokyo’s ‘Low Price Utopia’ Triples Sales Since 2011

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

• BEST &amp; WORST •The best and worst pair from yesterday's announcements is home centre <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kohnan-shoji-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5662:1" rel="noopener">Kohnan Shoji (7516 JP)</a> and image sensor testing equipment maker and erstwhile gaijin favourite <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/inter-action-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7578:1" rel="noopener">Inter Action (7725 JP)</a>.  <section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/164/830/original/2020-10-13_06-15-09.png?1602537360" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="164830"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/164/831/original/2020-10-13_06-17-29.png?1602537468" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="164831"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div></section><div>
<hr>
DAILY STATS 
Results continue to improve, but Revisions are net negative.
</div><hr><div>35 Quarterly Results</div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Results Score: 51% Positive / 17% Neutral / 31% Negative</li>
<li>Average Results Score Change: +1.6 points</li>
<li>Average % Change in Revenue: -3.8% Quarter YoY / -2.2% Rolling TTM YoY </li>
<li>Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -2.2ppt</li>
<li>Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 20%</li>
</ul></div><hr><div>20 Annual • 12 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 30% Positive / 5% Neutral / 65% Negative</li>
<li>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 33% Positive / 17% Neutral / 50% Negative</li>
<li>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -6.3 point</li>
</ul></div>

• BEST &amp; WORST •The best and worst pair from yesterday's announcements is home centre Kohnan Shoji (7516 JP) and image sensor testing equipment maker and erstwhile gaijin favourite Inter Action (7725 JP).  Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics

DAILY STATS 
Results continue to improve, but Revisions are net negative.
35 Quarterly Results
Results Score: 51% Positive / 17% Neutral / 31% Negative
Average Results Score Change: +1.6 points
Average % Change in Revenue: -3.8% Quarter YoY / -2.2% Rolling TTM YoY 
Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -2.2ppt
Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 20%
20 Annual • 12 Interim Forecasts/Revisions
Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 30% Positive / 5% Neutral / 65% Negative
Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 33% Positive / 17% Neutral / 50% Negative
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -6.3 point


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/​​​​​​​​​​​12 - Cosmos, Kohnan Shoji, Hogy Medical, Inter Action

Technical Analyst, Vermilion Research

Joe Jasper

Technical Analyst

Technical and Quantitative Research

Vermilion Research

Vermilion’s objective is to deliver timely, actionable, and unique technical research to professional investors through the application of our various technical indicators.

Our research strategists seek to highlight securities which we believe are at major inflection points, based on our various technical and quantitative indicators, and offer asymmetric risk/return profiles. Our unique research methodology, centered on relative strength, enables our strategists to deliver superior investment recommendations.

Our process begins by organizing the universe of actively traded stocks into discrete sectors, then into industry groups. We then apply our technical and quantitative tools to identify developing price trends. Once attractive trends are identified within a selected sector or group, we screen for individual stocks which we believe offer the best risk/reward profile. We provide a historical perspective that often reveals, through our long-term charts, how price patterns often repeat themselves over time.

Technical Analysis

We continue to believe global equities (ACWI-US) are likely to test the recent low made on March 23, with an undercut of roughly 10% also in the cards. This expectation is supported by price action during prior major waterfall declines in past recessionary periods. With the global economy likely headed for a recession (or worse) we believe it is important to stay with the Sectors that have been outperforming amid the COVID-19 pandemic as we believe they are likely to continue outperforming. That means we are sticking primarily with Staples, Health Care, and Technology. We are also expanding our recommendations to include bottom-up ideas within several other Sectors.

We continue to believe global equities (ACWI-US) are likely to test the recent low made on March 23, with an undercut of roughly 10% also in the cards. This expectation is supported by price action during prior major waterfall declines in past recessionary periods. With the global economy likely headed for a recession (or worse) we believe it is important to stay with the Sectors that have been outperforming amid the COVID-19 pandemic as we believe they are likely to continue outperforming. That means we are sticking primarily with Staples, Health Care, and Technology. We are also expanding our recommendations to include bottom-up ideas within several other Sectors.

Global Equities (ACWI-US) Likely to Retest the March Low

Japan

COSMOS Pharmaceutical Corporation operates drug stores based in Kyushu. The Company sells daily necessities such as drug medicines, foodstuffs, and alcoholic beverages.

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

Cosmos Pharmaceutical (3349 JP)

FY2020 Proves Better than Expected for Japan Retail but Savings Surge

A bad year for dept. stores and sectors like apparel (with more bad news to come) but a great one for drugstores, electronics and food. Savings...

Michael Causton

Japan Retail Full Review 2020-2021: Some Retail Sectors Outperform in a Pandemic

An in-depth update for investors in Japan's retail and consumer space on Japan's retail sector by retail type as well as a review of the impact of...

Michael Causton

Why Discount Works in Japan: Lopia, Tokyo’s ‘Low Price Utopia’ Triples Sales Since 2011

The low price food market is booming in Japan but still doesn't get the recognition it deserves. As well as listed firms, we highlight the unlisted...

Michael Causton

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/12 - Cosmos, Kohnan Shoji, Hogy Medical, Inter Action

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Campbell Gunn

Global Equities (ACWI-US) Likely to Retest the March Low

We continue to believe global equities (ACWI-US) are likely to test the recent low made on March 23, with an undercut of roughly 10% also in the...

Vermilion Research

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

FY2020 Proves Better than Expected for Japan Retail but Savings Surge

A bad year for dept. stores and sectors like apparel (with more bad news to come) but a great one for drugstores, electronics and food. Savings...

Michael Causton

Japan Retail Full Review 2020-2021: Some Retail Sectors Outperform in a Pandemic

An in-depth update for investors in Japan's retail and consumer space on Japan's retail sector by retail type as well as a review of the impact of...

Michael Causton

Why Discount Works in Japan: Lopia, Tokyo’s ‘Low Price Utopia’ Triples Sales Since 2011

The low price food market is booming in Japan but still doesn't get the recognition it deserves. As well as listed firms, we highlight the unlisted...

Michael Causton

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/​​​​​​​​​​​12 - Cosmos, Kohnan Shoji, Hogy Medical, Inter Action

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Campbell Gunn

Global Equities (ACWI-US) Likely to Retest the March Low

We continue to believe global equities (ACWI-US) are likely to test the recent low made on March 23, with an undercut of roughly 10% also in the...

Vermilion Research

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/12 - Cosmos, Kohnan Shoji, Hogy Medical, Inter Action