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>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

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a> has published two documents to respond to misinformation and detail its "<em>constructive engagement</em>" with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alimentation-couche-tard-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25103:1" rel="noopener">Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN)</a>.</li>
<li>The statements underscore the Board’s serious doubts about securing US antitrust approval. The significant discrepancies in the engagement timeline point to two parties at loggerheads. </li>
<li>While the Board claims it is pursuing a dual-track process to create value, the reality is that the process is designed to hinder Couche-Tard's offer to facilitate the restructuring plan.</li>
</ul>



Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) has published two documents to respond to misinformation and detail its "constructive engagement" with Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN).
The statements underscore the Board’s serious doubts about securing US antitrust approval. The significant discrepancies in the engagement timeline point to two parties at loggerheads. 
While the Board claims it is pursuing a dual-track process to create value, the reality is that the process is designed to hinder Couche-Tard's offer to facilitate the restructuring plan.


Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Uncomfortable Truths

<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a> Board has released a public letter to address <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/09/3039396/0/en/Artisan-Partners-International-Value-Group-Sends-Letter-to-the-Board-of-Seven-i.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Artisan Partners’ letter</a> and provide more details on the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alimentation-couche-tard-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25103:1" rel="noopener">Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN)</a> constructive engagement. </li>
<li>The letter effectively addresses most of Artisan’s concerns. The Board is engaging with Couche-Tard, particularly by agreeing on a strategy to find a solution to secure antitrust approvals. </li>
<li>However, the statement suggests that the Board retains deep scepticism that the Couche-Tard is viable and is manoeuvring to shift the blame on a failed bid on a flawed proposal. </li>
</ul>


The Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) Board has released a public letter to address Artisan Partners’ letter and provide more details on the Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN) constructive engagement. 
The letter effectively addresses most of Artisan’s concerns. The Board is engaging with Couche-Tard, particularly by agreeing on a strategy to find a solution to secure antitrust approvals. 
However, the statement suggests that the Board retains deep scepticism that the Couche-Tard is viable and is manoeuvring to shift the blame on a failed bid on a flawed proposal. 


Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Reading Between the Lines of the Public Letter

<ul>
<li>Bloomberg <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/745954" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a> that the MBO is stalling due to disagreements within the consortium over who will control <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP)</a> after it is privatised.</li>
<li>The Nikkei reported that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1" rel="noopener">Itochu Corp (8001 JP)</a> was set to withdraw from the MBO consortium. Along with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cp-all-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13889:1" rel="noopener">CP ALL PCL (CPALL TB)</a>’s <a href="https://www.cpall.co.th/en/news-en/coporate-news/reaffirmation-of-the-companys-non-participation-in-the-lnvestment-in-a-japanese-retail-company" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-participation</a>, the MBO’s financing is in trouble. </li>
<li>An <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alimentation-couche-tard-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25103:1" rel="noopener">Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN)</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alimentation-couche-tard-inc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a> bid remains in play but has issues. While progressing, the Board’s restructuring plan fails to prove a credible alternative. </li>
</ul>


Bloomberg reports that the MBO is stalling due to disagreements within the consortium over who will control Seven &amp; I Holdings (3382 JP) after it is privatised.
The Nikkei reported that Itochu Corp (8001 JP) was set to withdraw from the MBO consortium. Along with CP ALL PCL (CPALL TB)’s non-participation, the MBO’s financing is in trouble. 
An Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD CN) bid remains in play but has issues. While progressing, the Board’s restructuring plan fails to prove a credible alternative. 


Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): A Potential Derailing of the MBO

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>An <a href="https://bunshun.jp/denshiban/articles/b10138" target="_blank" rel="noopener">article</a> in Japanese weekly magazine <em>Bunshun </em>this morning sent shares in<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sbi-sumishin-net-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34572:1" rel="noopener">SBI Sumishin Net Bank (7163 JP)</a> limit up +17% with a headline that NTT Docomo was interested to buy.</li>
<li>Without access to the article, I can't go deep, but the base concept is that NTT Docomo is "worried" about KDDI (which has a bank, as does Softbank Corp)</li>
<li>It is not clear how serious it is, SBI Sumishin is super-expensive, and buying a bank isn't the same as buying a company. Hmmm...</li>
</ul>


An article in Japanese weekly magazine Bunshun this morning sent shares inSBI Sumishin Net Bank (7163 JP) limit up +17% with a headline that NTT Docomo was interested to buy.
Without access to the article, I can't go deep, but the base concept is that NTT Docomo is "worried" about KDDI (which has a bank, as does Softbank Corp)
It is not clear how serious it is, SBI Sumishin is super-expensive, and buying a bank isn't the same as buying a company. Hmmm...


NTT (9432 JP) And SBI Sumishin NetBank (7163 JP)? Maybe. Maybe Not. Seven Bank A Better Idea

Japan

LAWSON, INC. operates a chain of convenience stores in Japan. The Company sells a variety of products including fast food, beverages, snacks, magazines, newspapers, and sundry goods.

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Lawson Inc (2651 JP)

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

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Uncomfortable Truths

The statements underscore the Board’s serious doubts about securing US antitrust approval. The significant discrepancies in the engagement timeline...

Arun George

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): Reading Between the Lines of the Public Letter

The letter addresses most of Artisan's concerns. Concerning the Couche-Tard offer, the letter projects constructive engagement on the surface but...

Arun George

Seven & I Holdings (3382 JP): A Potential Derailing of the MBO

Itochu’s potential withdrawal and CP All’s non-participation could be the event that derails the MBO. An Couche-Tard bid remains in play but has...

Arun George

NTT (9432 JP) And SBI Sumishin NetBank (7163 JP)? Maybe. Maybe Not. Seven Bank A Better Idea

A news weekly magazine Bunshun today had an article suggesting a bank executive thought NTT Docomo was on its way to buying SBI Sumishin Netbank....

Travis Lundy

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