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>J Front has been pushing ahead with new ways to get younger (and richer) customers into its stores. </li>
<li>It recently opened a high end art floor at Matsuzakaya Nagoya, continues to expand its fashion subscription business, and will shortly open the first joint store with Komehyo.</li>
<li>It is also investing heavily in real estate in key cities as a third major platform to its business.</li>
</ul>


J Front has been pushing ahead with new ways to get younger (and richer) customers into its stores. 
It recently opened a high end art floor at Matsuzakaya Nagoya, continues to expand its fashion subscription business, and will shortly open the first joint store with Komehyo.
It is also investing heavily in real estate in key cities as a third major platform to its business.


J Front Diversifies to Generate More Income

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?

<ul>
<li>Results for FY2022-23 provide a snapshot of winners and losers in Japan's retail sector.</li>
<li>The data shows a big improvement in performance for retailers with sales of ¥250 billion or more and the outlook is positive for most, particularly for profits.</li>
<li>This also means that market concentration is intensifying, particularly in sectors like drugstores but also now in supermarkets. We highlight the winners in each sector.</li>
</ul>


Results for FY2022-23 provide a snapshot of winners and losers in Japan's retail sector.
The data shows a big improvement in performance for retailers with sales of ¥250 billion or more and the outlook is positive for most, particularly for profits.
This also means that market concentration is intensifying, particularly in sectors like drugstores but also now in supermarkets. We highlight the winners in each sector.


<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/matsuya-co-ltd-25630769-1690-43a0-a02d-75db9e9aac59" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17802:1" rel="noopener">Matsuya Co Ltd (8237 JP)</a> had a terrific FY2024, posting a new sales record at its Ginza store, the first since 1992. </li>
<li>There are worries that this year or next will be the peak given the ongoing decline in sales to locals, and if a strengthening Yen puts paid to tourist largesse.</li>
<li>The same headwinds are hitting all the major department store firms, including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/isetan-mitsukoshi-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18871:1" rel="noopener">Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd (3099 JP),</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/takashimaya-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:370:1" rel="noopener">Takashimaya (8233 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/j-front-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8947:1" rel="noopener">J Front Retailing (3086 JP).</a>
</li>
</ul>



Matsuya Co Ltd (8237 JP) had a terrific FY2024, posting a new sales record at its Ginza store, the first since 1992. 
There are worries that this year or next will be the peak given the ongoing decline in sales to locals, and if a strengthening Yen puts paid to tourist largesse.
The same headwinds are hitting all the major department store firms, including Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd (3099 JP),Takashimaya (8233 JP) and J Front Retailing (3086 JP).



Matsuya’s Record Sales May Signal Peak for Sector

Japanese Equity Specialist, Ortus Advisors

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Equity Specialist

Ortus Advisors

<ul>
<li>Pockets of strength in US Tech Friday with Coreweave, SMCI, Micron up with semi-caps generally lower after ASML nos.</li>
<li>Potential replacements for a NTT Data NKY deletion should continue to find a bid.</li>
<li>JP retailers J-Front and Matsuya squeezed sharply Friday after social media post highlights activist involvement.</li>
</ul>


Pockets of strength in US Tech Friday with Coreweave, SMCI, Micron up with semi-caps generally lower after ASML nos.
Potential replacements for a NTT Data NKY deletion should continue to find a bid.
JP retailers J-Front and Matsuya squeezed sharply Friday after social media post highlights activist involvement.


Japan Morning Connection: Markets Uncertain to Start the Week After Moody's US Downgrade

Japan

J. FRONT RETAILING CO., Ltd. is a holding company established through the merger of Daimaru and Matsuzakaya.  J. FRONT RETAILING operates department stores and supermarkets. The Company also manages subsidiaries which operate in wholesale businesses.

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J Front Retailing (3086 JP)

J Front Diversifies to Generate More Income

J Front is diversifying to raise OPM, targeting younger, wealthier customers by opening high-end art floors, expanding fashion subscriptions, and...

Michael Causton

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's Best Performing Retailers

There were strong improvements in both sales and profits for leading retailers last year and the following insight looks at the main winners and...

Michael Causton

Matsuya’s Record Sales May Signal Peak for Sector

Matsuya had a strong FY2024 with record sales, but this may be the peak due to falling local sales and impact of strong Yen on tourist spending....

Michael Causton

Japan Morning Connection: Markets Uncertain to Start the Week After Moody's US Downgrade

Quantum computing names up after positive news from QUBT. Short squeeze for JP retailers after social media post about activist involvement. Recent...

Andrew Jackson

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

J Front Diversifies to Generate More Income

​J Front is diversifying to raise OPM, targeting younger, wealthier customers by opening high-end art floors, expanding fashion subscriptions, and...

Michael Causton

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's Best Performing Retailers

There were strong improvements in both sales and profits for leading retailers last year and the following insight looks at the main winners and...

Michael Causton

Matsuya’s Record Sales May Signal Peak for Sector

​Matsuya had a strong FY2024 with record sales, but this may be the peak due to falling local sales and impact of strong Yen on tourist spending....

Michael Causton

Japan Morning Connection: Markets Uncertain to Start the Week After Moody's US Downgrade

Quantum computing names up after positive news from QUBT. Short squeeze for JP retailers after social media post about activist involvement. Recent...

Andrew Jackson

J Front is diversifying to raise OPM, targeting younger, wealthier customers by opening high-end art floors, expanding fashion subscriptions, and...

Matsuya had a strong FY2024 with record sales, but this may be the peak due to falling local sales and impact of strong Yen on tourist spending....