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 latest figures show that Japanese incomes fell for the first time in five years in 2021. </li>
<li>But despite this, average monthly household expenditure recovered and then accelerated at the end of the year. Online spending grew significantly, and much of this was new growth</li>
<li>We detail below which retailers are likely to benefit from these shifts in consumption behaviour over the next few years.</li>
</ul>


The latest figures show that Japanese incomes fell for the first time in five years in 2021. 
But despite this, average monthly household expenditure recovered and then accelerated at the end of the year. Online spending grew significantly, and much of this was new growth
We detail below which retailers are likely to benefit from these shifts in consumption behaviour over the next few years.


Japanese Household Expenditure in 2021 and Beyond: Which Retailers Will Benefit?

<ul>
<li>Japanese are developing a growing love for frozen foods, creating new opportunities for food brands and retailers.  </li>
<li>Frozen foods were long overlooked within the supply chain because of a traditional emphasis on fresh foods but frozen </li>
<li>As supply has increased, consumer demand has grown to match and now, with the growth of e-commerce and home delivery, frozen foods offer key advantages to both consumers and retailers.</li>
</ul>


Japanese are developing a growing love for frozen foods, creating new opportunities for food brands and retailers.  
Frozen foods were long overlooked within the supply chain because of a traditional emphasis on fresh foods but frozen 
As supply has increased, consumer demand has grown to match and now, with the growth of e-commerce and home delivery, frozen foods offer key advantages to both consumers and retailers.


Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Tsuruha is about to absorb Welcia and together, will become a ¥2 trillion operation and far bigger than drugstore rivals. </li>
<li>This should be a winning combination given the new economies of scale, repivoted management team and national reach.</li>
<li>But there is a problem: price competition is already changing the playing field. And convenience stores are about to get serious with OTC meds.</li>
</ul>


Tsuruha is about to absorb Welcia and together, will become a ¥2 trillion operation and far bigger than drugstore rivals. 
This should be a winning combination given the new economies of scale, repivoted management team and national reach.
But there is a problem: price competition is already changing the playing field. And convenience stores are about to get serious with OTC meds.


Could Discounters Derail Tsuruha-Welcia's Ambitions?

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Aeon is continuing its programme of subsidiary consolidation and reorganisation, with profitability improving rapidly as a result. </li>
<li>In the capital, Aeon Food Style will consolidate multiple banners, while in Kansai, Daiei will merge with Kohyo.</li>
<li>Aeon is (finally) moving towards a much more consolidated model, reducing duplication, and fusing large procurement capacity with localised knowledge but there is still so much fat to cut.</li>
</ul>


Aeon is continuing its programme of subsidiary consolidation and reorganisation, with profitability improving rapidly as a result. 
In the capital, Aeon Food Style will consolidate multiple banners, while in Kansai, Daiei will merge with Kohyo.
Aeon is (finally) moving towards a much more consolidated model, reducing duplication, and fusing large procurement capacity with localised knowledge but there is still so much fat to cut.


Aeon Restructures Mid-Sized Supermarkets in Kansai and Tokyo but Is It Enough?

<ul>
<li>The Tsuruha and Welcia merger before the year’s close, backed by Aeon, is targeting ¥50 billion in cost savings over three years. </li>
<li>As well as the massive economies of scale, consolidated procurement, revamped private brands and a unified points and customer‑ID strategy are central to this.</li>
<li>However, weak food offerings, legacy stores and IT complexity still threaten sustainable profit recovery as is the question of who will be in charge.</li>
</ul>


The Tsuruha and Welcia merger before the year’s close, backed by Aeon, is targeting ¥50 billion in cost savings over three years. 
As well as the massive economies of scale, consolidated procurement, revamped private brands and a unified points and customer‑ID strategy are central to this.
However, weak food offerings, legacy stores and IT complexity still threaten sustainable profit recovery as is the question of who will be in charge.


Tsuruha-Welcia: Will Scale Translate into Profit?

Japan

Genky DrugStores Co., Ltd. operates drug stores. The Company sells prescription drugs and medications. Genky DrugStores provides its services in Japan.

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Genky DrugStores Co Ltd (9267 JP)

Japanese Household Expenditure in 2021 and Beyond: Which Retailers Will Benefit?

Japanese spent more on homes and less on clothes in the last two years but they also added to their savings. This insight analyses the key...

Michael Causton

Japan's New Food Boom: Frozen Food

Frozen food sales have boomed during the pandemic but the new enthusiasm for all things frozen is a long-term trend and some retailers and...

Michael Causton

Could Discounters Derail Tsuruha-Welcia's Ambitions?

Tsuruha's acquisition of Welcia creates a powerhouse in the drugstore market, but price competition poses a challenge for the new entity's success.

Michael Causton

Aeon Restructures Mid-Sized Supermarkets in Kansai and Tokyo but Is It Enough?

Aeon is streamlining operations through subsidiary consolidation, leading to improved profitability, with further consolidation efforts underway...

Michael Causton

Tsuruha-Welcia: Will Scale Translate into Profit?

Tsuruha-Welcia merger aims for ¥50 billion in savings through procurement, private brands, and stores, but faces challenges in weak food...

Michael Causton

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Japanese Household Expenditure in 2021 and Beyond: Which Retailers Will Benefit?

Japanese spent more on homes and less on clothes in the last two years but they also added to their savings. This insight analyses the key...

Michael Causton

Japan's New Food Boom: Frozen Food

Frozen food sales have boomed during the pandemic but the new enthusiasm for all things frozen is a long-term trend and some retailers and...

Michael Causton

Could Discounters Derail Tsuruha-Welcia's Ambitions?

​Tsuruha's acquisition of Welcia creates a powerhouse in the drugstore market, but price competition poses a challenge for the new entity's success.

Michael Causton

Aeon Restructures Mid-Sized Supermarkets in Kansai and Tokyo but Is It Enough?

​Aeon is streamlining operations through subsidiary consolidation, leading to improved profitability, with further consolidation efforts underway...

Michael Causton

Tsuruha-Welcia: Will Scale Translate into Profit?

​Tsuruha-Welcia merger aims for ¥50 billion in savings through procurement, private brands, and stores, but faces challenges in weak food...

Michael Causton

Tsuruha's acquisition of Welcia creates a powerhouse in the drugstore market, but price competition poses a challenge for the new entity's success.

Aeon is streamlining operations through subsidiary consolidation, leading to improved profitability, with further consolidation efforts underway...

Tsuruha-Welcia merger aims for ¥50 billion in savings through procurement, private brands, and stores, but faces challenges in weak food...