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)

Department store numbers have dropped by a third in the past 13 years to just 199 and another third are likely to disappear this decadeThe hope that many of these properties would find new life as shopping buildings is now looking far less likely and, with Covid worsening the problem, an accelerated hollowing out of central retail areas looks unavoidable in many small cities.We are likely to see department store numbers drop to around 150 over the next five years.The impact on both the department store sector and regional retailing is profound.

Department store numbers have dropped by a third in the past 13 years to just 199 and another third are likely to disappear this decadeThe hope that many of these properties would find new life as shopping buildings is now looking far less likely and, with Covid worsening the problem, an accelerated hollowing out of central retail areas looks unavoidable in many small cities.We are likely to see department store numbers drop to around 150 over the next five years.The impact on both the department store sector and regional retailing is profound.

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

• RESULTS - 29th MARCH •<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/197/979/original/image_20691903021617048798901.png?1617048799" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="197979"></figure>RESULTS -  Of Monday's three results, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/arcland-sakamoto-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10395:1" rel="noopener">Arcland Sakamoto (9842 JP)</a> stands out but is driven by the LIXIL VIVA acquisition. The FY22 forecasts are conservative and leave ample room for an upward revision. Arcland is our preferred Home Centre holding and is back into an attractive buying zone following last year's COVID-driven spike into OverBought territory.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/197/985/original/image_58825059031617049684417.png?1617049685" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="197985"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/197/986/original/image_44235549241617050056401.png?1617050057" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="197986"></figure>• FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 29th MARCH •<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/197/987/original/image_83881428151617050520638.png?1617050521" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="197987"></figure>FORECASTS/REVISIONS - Of the 14 annual forecasts and revisions, 57% scored positively. The DETAIL Section below focuses on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/organo-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1972:1" rel="noopener">Organo (6368 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/keihan-electric-railway-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6120:1" rel="noopener">Keihan Electric Railway (9045 JP)</a>. <figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/197/988/original/image_80065899161617052150856.png?1617052151" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="197988"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/197/989/original/image_62815698771617052194528.png?1617052195" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="197989"></figure>

• RESULTS - 29th MARCH •RESULTS -  Of Monday's three results, Arcland Sakamoto (9842 JP) stands out but is driven by the LIXIL VIVA acquisition. The FY22 forecasts are conservative and leave ample room for an upward revision. Arcland is our preferred Home Centre holding and is back into an attractive buying zone following last year's COVID-driven spike into OverBought territory.• FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 29th MARCH •FORECASTS/REVISIONS - Of the 14 annual forecasts and revisions, 57% scored positively. The DETAIL Section below focuses on Organo (6368 JP) and Keihan Electric Railway (9045 JP). 

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 03/​​​​​​​​29 - Arcland, Organo & Keihan

• RESULTS - 28th MARCH •<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/197/770/original/image_57334545521616964192596.png?1616964192" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="197770"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/197/771/original/image_10738985631616964271545.png?1616964271" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="197771"></figure>RESULTS - Of Friday's seven results announcements, only <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/demae-can-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10524:1" rel="noopener">Demae-Can (2484 JP)</a> saw a significant decline in profitability, although our scoring system gives the company credit for the 210% year-on-year change in revenues - they continue to 'make it up on volume'! • FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 28th MARCH •<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/197/772/original/2021-03-27_08-15-34.png?1616964525" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="197772"></figure></section>FORECASTS/REVISIONS - Of the 32 annual forecasts and revisions, only 56% scored positively of which <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/life-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1743:1" rel="noopener">Life (8194 JP)</a> was the largest cap. <figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/197/774/original/image_47158678551616964791891.png?1616964792" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="197774"></figure>Meanwhile, urban railway operator <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/odakyu-electric-railway-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5405:1" rel="noopener">Odakyu Electric Railway (9007 JP) </a>is forecasting slightly lower full-year operating income but has added ¥8.3 billion in net losses to February's forecast.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/197/775/original/image_73678410461616964884061.png?1616964884" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="197775"></figure>

• RESULTS - 28th MARCH •RESULTS - Of Friday's seven results announcements, only Demae-Can (2484 JP) saw a significant decline in profitability, although our scoring system gives the company credit for the 210% year-on-year change in revenues - they continue to 'make it up on volume'! • FORECASTS/REVISIONS - 28th MARCH •FORECASTS/REVISIONS - Of the 32 annual forecasts and revisions, only 56% scored positively of which Life (8194 JP) was the largest cap. Meanwhile, urban railway operator Odakyu Electric Railway (9007 JP) is forecasting slightly lower full-year operating income but has added ¥8.3 billion in net losses to February's forecast.

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 03/​​​​​​​26 - Demae-Can, Life, Odakyu Electric Railway

Last month’s confirmation that Sogo Seibu is closing five more stores ends a terrible six months for department store chains.
Things started to look bad for the sector well before the lockdown as falling tourist numbers from South Korea, the impact of the consumption tax hike, and cautious consumers at home stole the gains made in the previous year.
A survey of 10,000 consumers earlier this year between the ages of 20 and 70 and 65% replied that they rarely visited department stores, if at all. This is up from 53.4% in 2011.
That the sector is in trouble is well-known but the shake out will be both accelerated and intensified by the current crisis, meaning that even fewer stores will survive, leaving just 100 or so true department stores, 50% less than now.
The good news is that the survivors will likely thrive, particularly <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> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/takashimaya-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:370:1" rel="noopener">Takashimaya (8233 JP)</a>. While the entire sector is currently a sell, investors looking at the long-term may see value in a few of the leading firms.
The following is an in-depth review of the sector with the following sections:
<ol>
<li>Summary of key trends</li>
<li>Overview of Sales and analysis of strong and weak categories now and in the future</li>
<li>Rankings of chains and stores by category sales</li>
<li>Analysis of regional differences</li>
<li>Ranking of Top 30 firms by Sales and OPM and analysis of strong vs weak chains</li>
<li>Ranking of Top 50 stores and analysis of sales density performance</li>
<li>Review of solutions to decline and which firms will survive and thrive.</li>
</ol>
This insight is labelled bearish because the sector will continue to decline but a small number of firms will have a sustained future and see higher growth in operating margins once the current crisis is over.

Last month’s confirmation that Sogo Seibu is closing five more stores ends a terrible six months for department store chains.
Things started to look bad for the sector well before the lockdown as falling tourist numbers from South Korea, the impact of the consumption tax hike, and cautious consumers at home stole the gains made in the previous year.
A survey of 10,000 consumers earlier this year between the ages of 20 and 70 and 65% replied that they rarely visited department stores, if at all. This is up from 53.4% in 2011.
That the sector is in trouble is well-known but the shake out will be both accelerated and intensified by the current crisis, meaning that even fewer stores will survive, leaving just 100 or so true department stores, 50% less than now.
The good news is that the survivors will likely thrive, particularly J Front Retailing (3086 JP) and Takashimaya (8233 JP). While the entire sector is currently a sell, investors looking at the long-term may see value in a few of the leading firms.
The following is an in-depth review of the sector with the following sections:

Summary of key trends
Overview of Sales and analysis of strong and weak categories now and in the future
Rankings of chains and stores by category sales
Analysis of regional differences
Ranking of Top 30 firms by Sales and OPM and analysis of strong vs weak chains
Ranking of Top 50 stores and analysis of sales density performance
Review of solutions to decline and which firms will survive and thrive.

This insight is labelled bearish because the sector will continue to decline but a small number of firms will have a sustained future and see higher growth in operating margins once the current crisis is over.

Japan's Department Stores in 2020: The Biggest Crisis Since World War II

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/149/834/original/2020-08-02_06-39-22.png?1596317982" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="149834"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>CORRECTION - The last day of July saw the TOPIX index fall by 2.8% to reach a new two-month low, 8.2% below the closing high of June 8th. A combination of a strong yen, peak COVID-19 cases, the continuing unedifying stream of results &amp; revisions, and month-end portfolio 'adjustments' proved toxic. Our Results Score lost a further 57 basis points, while bullish initial full-year forecasts from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/takeda-pharmaceutical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11747:1" rel="noopener">Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/denso-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18703:1" rel="noopener">Denso (6902 JP)</a> helped the Forecast/Revision Score recover by 51 basis points. Nevertheless, the market's correlation with earnings and revisions momentum remains distorted by central bank liquidity. As noted in<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-market-update-tired" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41562" rel="noopener"> Tired</a>, we expect both our Scores to bottom nearer the 2009 lows, in which case the Bank of Japan's cumulative purchases could reach over 10% of market value.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/149/839/original/2020-08-02_07-35-10.png?1596321328" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="149839"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>DOWNFALL - After one-third of quarterly earnings announcements, at the current pace forward aggregate operating and net income could reach ¥35 trillion and ¥20 trillion, respectively by the end of the month, taking the market multiple to 30x, absent any further correction in share prices. <figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/149/840/original/2020-08-02_07-52-16.png?1596322358" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="149840"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div>SECTOR SCORES - As in past cycles, the Information Technology, Internet, and Healthcare Sectors have proved to be the most resilient. On the downside, the breadth of the lowest-scoring Sectors is abnormal, with Consumer Services and Transport &amp; Logistics joining Metals, Autos, Eletcial Equipment and Machinery. The trailing-twelve-month (TTM) results in the table below confirm the chart above but suggests some caution over Internet Sector margins.   <figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/149/842/original/2020-08-02_07-59-45.png?1596322803" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="149842"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><hr>•BEST &amp; WORST 31st JULY •BEST &amp; WORST - Combining the day's results, revisions and forecasts, we select the 'best' and the 'worst' announcements according to our scoring. On the podium were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/takeda-pharmaceutical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11747:1" rel="noopener">Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/infocom-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8412:1" rel="noopener">Infocom (4348 JP)</a>. In the pits were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/casio-computer-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18338:1" rel="noopener">Casio Computer (6952 JP)</a> and three railway lines - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/odakyu-electric-railway-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5405:1" rel="noopener">Odakyu (9007 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/west-japan-railway-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12077:1" rel="noopener">West Japan (9021 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/central-japan-railway-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13520:1" rel="noopener">Central Japan (9022 JP)</a> for which we will show the Peer Group's record-low long-term Scores.<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/149/913/original/2020-08-02_08-30-42.png?1596324654" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="149913"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/149/914/original/2020-08-02_08-31-29.png?1596324699" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="149914"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/149/915/original/2020-08-02_08-33-28.png?1596324818" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="149915"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/149/916/original/2020-08-02_08-40-22.png?1596325251" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="149916"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source • Japan Analytics</div><div>
<hr>
DAILY STATS
PERCENTAGES - 66% of quarterly results,  71% of annual forecasts/revisions and 75% of interim forecasts have negative Scores and 26% of companies reporting lost money for the quarter.
</div><hr><div>429 Quarterly Results</div><div><ul>
<li>
Results Score: 28% Positive / 6% Neutral / 66% Negative</li>
<li>
Average Results Score Change: -3.1 points</li>
<li>
Average % Change in Revenue: -9.3% Quarter YoY / -2.0% Rolling TTM YoY </li>
<li>
Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -1.0 ppt</li>
<li>
Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 26%</li>
</ul></div><hr><div> 153 Annual • 115 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</div><div><ul>
<li>
Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 26% Positive / 3% Neutral / 71% Negative</li>
<li>
Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 24% Positive / 1% Neutral / 75% Negative</li>
<li>
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -8.4 points</li>
</ul></div>

Source • Japan AnalyticsCORRECTION - The last day of July saw the TOPIX index fall by 2.8% to reach a new two-month low, 8.2% below the closing high of June 8th. A combination of a strong yen, peak COVID-19 cases, the continuing unedifying stream of results &amp; revisions, and month-end portfolio 'adjustments' proved toxic. Our Results Score lost a further 57 basis points, while bullish initial full-year forecasts from Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP) and Denso (6902 JP) helped the Forecast/Revision Score recover by 51 basis points. Nevertheless, the market's correlation with earnings and revisions momentum remains distorted by central bank liquidity. As noted in Tired, we expect both our Scores to bottom nearer the 2009 lows, in which case the Bank of Japan's cumulative purchases could reach over 10% of market value.Source • Japan AnalyticsDOWNFALL - After one-third of quarterly earnings announcements, at the current pace forward aggregate operating and net income could reach ¥35 trillion and ¥20 trillion, respectively by the end of the month, taking the market multiple to 30x, absent any further correction in share prices. Source • Japan AnalyticsSECTOR SCORES - As in past cycles, the Information Technology, Internet, and Healthcare Sectors have proved to be the most resilient. On the downside, the breadth of the lowest-scoring Sectors is abnormal, with Consumer Services and Transport &amp; Logistics joining Metals, Autos, Eletcial Equipment and Machinery. The trailing-twelve-month (TTM) results in the table below confirm the chart above but suggests some caution over Internet Sector margins.   Source • Japan Analytics•BEST &amp; WORST 31st JULY •BEST &amp; WORST - Combining the day's results, revisions and forecasts, we select the 'best' and the 'worst' announcements according to our scoring. On the podium were Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP) and Infocom (4348 JP). In the pits were Casio Computer (6952 JP) and three railway lines - Odakyu (9007 JP), West Japan (9021 JP) and Central Japan (9022 JP) for which we will show the Peer Group's record-low long-term Scores.Source • Japan Analytics

DAILY STATS
PERCENTAGES - 66% of quarterly results,  71% of annual forecasts/revisions and 75% of interim forecasts have negative Scores and 26% of companies reporting lost money for the quarter.
429 Quarterly Results

Results Score: 28% Positive / 6% Neutral / 66% Negative

Average Results Score Change: -3.1 points

Average % Change in Revenue: -9.3% Quarter YoY / -2.0% Rolling TTM YoY 

Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -1.0 ppt

Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 26%
 153 Annual • 115 Interim Forecasts/Revisions

Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 26% Positive / 3% Neutral / 71% Negative

Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 24% Positive / 1% Neutral / 75% Negative

Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -8.4 points


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 31st July - Takeda, Yamato/SG, Seria, FP, Keyence, Dai-Ichi Sankyo

Japan

Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd. provides passenger rail and bus transportation services in the Kanto and Chubu areas including Tokyo.  The Company also operates department stores, amusement parks, hotels, real estate, and travel businesses.  The Company provides general construction such as residential building and land development.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Odakyu Electric Railway (9007 JP)

The Japanese Department Store Debacle

The Japanese department sector has been in retreat for a long time but the decline accelerated from the start of Covid. Unfortunately, an end to...

Michael Causton

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 03/29 - Arcland, Organo & Keihan

Of Monday's three results, Arcland Sakamoto (9842 JP) stands out but is driven by the LIXIL VIVA acquisition. The FY22 forecasts are conservative...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 03/26 - Demae-Can, Life, Odakyu Electric Railway

Of Friday's seven results announcements, only Demae-Can (2484 JP) saw a significant decline in profitability - they continue to 'make it up on...

Campbell Gunn

Japan's Department Stores in 2020: The Biggest Crisis Since World War II

Japan's department store sector will continue to contract so it is right to be bearish on the sector. However, the clear out will allow some firms...

Michael Causton

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 31st July - Takeda, Yamato/SG, Seria, FP, Keyence, Dai-Ichi Sankyo

CORRECTION - The last day of July saw the TOPIX index fall by 2.8% to reach a new two-month low, 8.2% below the closing high of June 8th. A...

Campbell Gunn

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

The Japanese Department Store Debacle

The Japanese department sector has been in retreat for a long time but the decline accelerated from the start of Covid. Unfortunately, an end to...

Michael Causton

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 03/​​​​​​​​29 - Arcland, Organo & Keihan

Of Monday's three results, Arcland Sakamoto (9842 JP) stands out but is driven by the LIXIL VIVA acquisition. The FY22 forecasts are conservative...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 03/​​​​​​​26 - Demae-Can, Life, Odakyu Electric Railway

Of Friday's seven results announcements, only Demae-Can (2484 JP) saw a significant decline in profitability - they continue to 'make it up on...

Campbell Gunn

Japan's Department Stores in 2020: The Biggest Crisis Since World War II

Japan's department store sector will continue to contract so it is right to be bearish on the sector. However, the clear out will allow some firms...

Michael Causton

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 31st July - Takeda, Yamato/SG, Seria, FP, Keyence, Dai-Ichi Sankyo

CORRECTION - The last day of July saw the TOPIX index fall by 2.8% to reach a new two-month low, 8.2% below the closing high of June 8th. A...

Campbell Gunn

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 03/29 - Arcland, Organo & Keihan

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 03/26 - Demae-Can, Life, Odakyu Electric Railway