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>There’s been something of a reversal of fortunes in online shopping malls, as Yahoo Shopping regains some of the losses of the past 18 months while Rakuten suffers a setback.</li>
<li>Much of Yahoo Shopping's bounce back has come on the back of marketing through loyalty point programmes.</li>
<li>Both companies expect further gains going forward from more cross-use and expansion of categories, including a new tie-up between Rakuten and Nihon L’Oreal.</li>
</ul>


There’s been something of a reversal of fortunes in online shopping malls, as Yahoo Shopping regains some of the losses of the past 18 months while Rakuten suffers a setback.
Much of Yahoo Shopping's bounce back has come on the back of marketing through loyalty point programmes.
Both companies expect further gains going forward from more cross-use and expansion of categories, including a new tie-up between Rakuten and Nihon L’Oreal.


Yahoo Shopping up and Rakuten Ichiba Down

Telco/Internet specialist

Kirk Boodry

Redex Research

<ul>
<li>Internet advertising revenue growth has come in below expectations for Google, Meta and CyberAgent as ad budgets appear to be shrinking</li>
<li>There is an indirect read-across to Z Holdings which has almost always posted slower ad growth although it has some insulation from volatility with eCommerce and LINE official accounts</li>
<li>Sill, management targets for ad revenue growth of 5-10% look increasingly challenging which is an issue when Media generates c. 80% of profitability. We remain cautious</li>
</ul>


Internet advertising revenue growth has come in below expectations for Google, Meta and CyberAgent as ad budgets appear to be shrinking
There is an indirect read-across to Z Holdings which has almost always posted slower ad growth although it has some insulation from volatility with eCommerce and LINE official accounts
Sill, management targets for ad revenue growth of 5-10% look increasingly challenging which is an issue when Media generates c. 80% of profitability. We remain cautious


Z Holdings (Neutral) - Quick Thoughts on the Read Across from Google, Meta, and CyberAgent

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?

Blue Lotus Non US Internet research, Blue Lotus Research Institute

Ying Pan

Blue Lotus Non US Internet research

China growth and global non-US Internet equities

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Blue Lotus Research is a Hong Kong Type 4 Licensed investment advisory firm focusing on Chinese growth equities and global non-US Internet equities

<ul>
<li>3690 HK: Meituan Food Delivery Daily Orders Reach 90 Million (+)</li>
<li>JD US: JD Officially Launches OTA Hotel and Travel Business with Three-Year Zero Commission Policy(+/-/-)</li>
<li>1439927D CH/4689 JP/4755 JP/4385 JP: TikTok Announces Launch of Japan E-commerce Business as Early as This Month (+/-/-/-)</li>
</ul>


3690 HK: Meituan Food Delivery Daily Orders Reach 90 Million (+)
JD US: JD Officially Launches OTA Hotel and Travel Business with Three-Year Zero Commission Policy(+/-/-)
1439927D CH/4689 JP/4755 JP/4385 JP: TikTok Announces Launch of Japan E-commerce Business as Early as This Month (+/-/-/-)


[Blue Lotus Daily-TMT Update]:3690 HK/JD US/1439927D CH/4689 JP/4755 JP/4385 JP/700 HK/NTESUS/BABAUS

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li><strong>For May 2025, 13 new transactions (firm and non-binding) were discussed on Smartkarma (by the Quiddity team) with an overall announced deal size of ~US$27bn. </strong></li>
<li>The average premium for the new transactions announced (or first discussed) in May was ~28%, with a year-to-date average of 49%.</li>
<li>The average premiums for transactions in 2024 (129 transactions), (2023 (117), 2022 (106), 2021 (165), 2020 (158), and 2019 (145 ) were 43%, 39%, 41%, 33%, 31%, and 31%.</li>
</ul>


For May 2025, 13 new transactions (firm and non-binding) were discussed on Smartkarma (by the Quiddity team) with an overall announced deal size of ~US$27bn. 
The average premium for the new transactions announced (or first discussed) in May was ~28%, with a year-to-date average of 49%.
The average premiums for transactions in 2024 (129 transactions), (2023 (117), 2022 (106), 2021 (165), 2020 (158), and 2019 (145 ) were 43%, 39%, 41%, 33%, 31%, and 31%.


(Mostly) Asia M&A, May 2025 Wrap: NTT Data, ZEEKR, MAC Copper, Torii, Mitsu. Shokuhin, SBI Sumishin

Japan

LY Corporation operates as an internet search engine "Yahoo! JAPAN". The Company provides electronic commerce and settlement finance services for small medium enterprises and individuals. LY also operates media business including search linked advertising and display advertising services.

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LY (4689 JP)

Yahoo Shopping up and Rakuten Ichiba Down

Yahoo Shopping sees a resurgence with loyalty point programs, while Rakuten faces setbacks. Both companies anticipate growth through cross-use and...

Michael Causton

Z Holdings (Neutral) - Quick Thoughts on the Read Across from Google, Meta, and CyberAgent

Industry ad revenue growth has disappointed which could put Z Holding's target of 5-10% growth at risk. Unique exposure to eCommerce monetization...

Kirk Boodry

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

[Blue Lotus Daily-TMT Update]:3690 HK/JD US/1439927D CH/4689 JP/4755 JP/4385 JP/700 HK/NTESUS/BABAUS

Meituan Food Delivery hits 90 million daily orders, JD launches OTA hotel and travel business with zero commission policy, TikTok to launch Japan...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

(Mostly) Asia M&A, May 2025 Wrap: NTT Data, ZEEKR, MAC Copper, Torii, Mitsu. Shokuhin, SBI Sumishin

For the month of May, 13 new deals were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall deal size of ~US$27bn. The average premium for the new deals...

David Blennerhassett

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Yahoo Shopping up and Rakuten Ichiba Down

​Yahoo Shopping sees a resurgence with loyalty point programs, while Rakuten faces setbacks. Both companies anticipate growth through cross-use and...

Michael Causton

Z Holdings (Neutral) - Quick Thoughts on the Read Across from Google, Meta, and CyberAgent

Industry ad revenue growth has disappointed which could put Z Holding's target of 5-10% growth at risk. Unique exposure to eCommerce monetization...

Kirk Boodry

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

[Blue Lotus Daily-TMT Update]:3690 HK/JD US/1439927D CH/4689 JP/4755 JP/4385 JP/700 HK/NTESUS/BABAUS

​Meituan Food Delivery hits 90 million daily orders, JD launches OTA hotel and travel business with zero commission policy, TikTok to launch Japan...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

(Mostly) Asia M&A, May 2025 Wrap: NTT Data, ZEEKR, MAC Copper, Torii, Mitsu. Shokuhin, SBI Sumishin

For the month of May, 13 new deals were discussed on Smartkarma with an overall deal size of ~US$27bn. The average premium for the new deals...

David Blennerhassett

Yahoo Shopping sees a resurgence with loyalty point programs, while Rakuten faces setbacks. Both companies anticipate growth through cross-use and...

Meituan Food Delivery hits 90 million daily orders, JD launches OTA hotel and travel business with zero commission policy, TikTok to launch Japan...