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

<ul>
<li>The disparity between the leading footwear retailers continues to widen.</li>
<li>ABC Mart is pulling so far ahead that it has the market almost to itself. </li>
<li>Chiyoda may have finally turned the corner but G-Foot may need further financial support from Aeon.</li>
</ul>


The disparity between the leading footwear retailers continues to widen.
ABC Mart is pulling so far ahead that it has the market almost to itself. 
Chiyoda may have finally turned the corner but G-Foot may need further financial support from Aeon.


ABC Mart Forges Further Ahead of Competitors

<ul>
<li>As outlined in previous reports, Aeon has been working hard to streamline its vast retail empire but also rethinking the fundamentals of retailing for each major format it operates.</li>
<li>The results are now coming through with a big increase in operating profits in 1H2023, up 23% on last year.</li>
<li>There is real momentum now, and the new online supermarket business is central to its ambitions to create the first true national FMCG business.</li>
</ul>


As outlined in previous reports, Aeon has been working hard to streamline its vast retail empire but also rethinking the fundamentals of retailing for each major format it operates.
The results are now coming through with a big increase in operating profits in 1H2023, up 23% on last year.
There is real momentum now, and the new online supermarket business is central to its ambitions to create the first true national FMCG business.


Aeon Keeps Working After High Profit Growth

<ul>
<li>Japan has a solid if stagnant footwear market, yet it only has one compelling nationwide footwear retailer.</li>
<li>ABC Mart continues to outperform its smaller rivals, with little competition as its main rivals decline further.</li>
<li>The real competition is coming from brands selling directly to customers via their own stores and online – and low-cost retailers nipping at its heels from below.</li>
</ul>


Japan has a solid if stagnant footwear market, yet it only has one compelling nationwide footwear retailer.
ABC Mart continues to outperform its smaller rivals, with little competition as its main rivals decline further.
The real competition is coming from brands selling directly to customers via their own stores and online – and low-cost retailers nipping at its heels from below.


Index Rebal/Special Situations, Quiddity Advisors

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

Index Rebal/Special Situations

Quiddity Advisors

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The TOPIX liquidity factor removal names (upweights) for April 2023 were announced after the close on Friday 7th April 2023 as expected.</li>
<li>According to the announcement, 22 names will see their Liquidity Factors removed and experience index inflows later this month. </li>
<li>Today was the first day of trading post-announcement and the 22 names gained +1.1% (+0.47% vs the TOPIX Index). I feel there could be more upside for some names.</li>
</ul>


The TOPIX liquidity factor removal names (upweights) for April 2023 were announced after the close on Friday 7th April 2023 as expected.
According to the announcement, 22 names will see their Liquidity Factors removed and experience index inflows later this month. 
Today was the first day of trading post-announcement and the 22 names gained +1.1% (+0.47% vs the TOPIX Index). I feel there could be more upside for some names.


TOPIX Big April Basket 23: 100% Hit Rate for High Conviction Basket; Focus on Surprises Next

<ul>
<li>Footwear sales plummeted during Covid, except for sports and hiking shoes, with a deleterious impact on all the big three retailers. </li>
<li>While ABC Mart has recovered, Chiyoda and G-Foot continue to struggle, leaving the market wide open. </li>
<li>Disruption is coming in the form of Workman but others might also see the opportunity.</li>
</ul>


Footwear sales plummeted during Covid, except for sports and hiking shoes, with a deleterious impact on all the big three retailers. 
While ABC Mart has recovered, Chiyoda and G-Foot continue to struggle, leaving the market wide open. 
Disruption is coming in the form of Workman but others might also see the opportunity.


ABC Mart Rebounds in Weakened Sector but Watch Out for Workman

Japan

GFOOT CO., LTD. operates a shoe store chain in mainly in Aichi Prefecture, and Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Saitama Prefectures.  The Company sells shoes for men, women and children, sports shoes, and rain shoes.

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Gfoot Co Ltd (2686 JP)

ABC Mart Forges Further Ahead of Competitors

ABC Mart is dominating the footwear retail market, leaving competitors like Chiyoda and G-Foot struggling to keep up. ABC also has a strong growth...

Michael Causton

Aeon Keeps Working After High Profit Growth

Aeon's efforts to revamp its retail empire and rethink strategies are paying off, with a 23% rise in OP in 1H2023. A new online store is key to...

Michael Causton

ABC Mart Expands Lead in Footwear

Despite a stagnant market, ABC Mart remains dominant in Japan's footwear industry, although it is now facing competition from direct brand sales...

Michael Causton

TOPIX Big April Basket 23: 100% Hit Rate for High Conviction Basket; Focus on Surprises Next

There could be around US$450mn of flows and an average of 12 days of ADV to buy for the 13 names which I identify as "surprise" names. I expect...

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

ABC Mart Rebounds in Weakened Sector but Watch Out for Workman

Japan's footwear market is rebounding after a tough pandemic but only ABC Mart is showing real signs of recovery and future growth. The weak state...

Michael Causton

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

ABC Mart Forges Further Ahead of Competitors

​ABC Mart is dominating the footwear retail market, leaving competitors like Chiyoda and G-Foot struggling to keep up. ABC also has a strong growth...

Michael Causton

Aeon Keeps Working After High Profit Growth

​Aeon's efforts to revamp its retail empire and rethink strategies are paying off, with a 23% rise in OP in 1H2023. A new online store is key to...

Michael Causton

ABC Mart Expands Lead in Footwear

​Despite a stagnant market, ABC Mart remains dominant in Japan's footwear industry, although it is now facing competition from direct brand sales...

Michael Causton

TOPIX Big April Basket 23: 100% Hit Rate for High Conviction Basket; Focus on Surprises Next

There could be around US$450mn of flows and an average of 12 days of ADV to buy for the 13 names which I identify as "surprise" names. I expect...

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

ABC Mart Rebounds in Weakened Sector but Watch Out for Workman

Japan's footwear market is rebounding after a tough pandemic but only ABC Mart is showing real signs of recovery and future growth. The weak state...

Michael Causton

ABC Mart is dominating the footwear retail market, leaving competitors like Chiyoda and G-Foot struggling to keep up. ABC also has a strong growth...

Aeon's efforts to revamp its retail empire and rethink strategies are paying off, with a 23% rise in OP in 1H2023. A new online store is key to...

Despite a stagnant market, ABC Mart remains dominant in Japan's footwear industry, although it is now facing competition from direct brand sales...