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)

<ul>
<li>Japanese are developing a growing love for frozen foods, creating new opportunities for food brands and retailers.  </li>
<li>Frozen foods were long overlooked within the supply chain because of a traditional emphasis on fresh foods but frozen </li>
<li>As supply has increased, consumer demand has grown to match and now, with the growth of e-commerce and home delivery, frozen foods offer key advantages to both consumers and retailers.</li>
</ul>


Japanese are developing a growing love for frozen foods, creating new opportunities for food brands and retailers.  
Frozen foods were long overlooked within the supply chain because of a traditional emphasis on fresh foods but frozen 
As supply has increased, consumer demand has grown to match and now, with the growth of e-commerce and home delivery, frozen foods offer key advantages to both consumers and retailers.


<ul>
<li>The government has promised consumers price inflation for almost a decade now but the only real result of this policy is that we’ve seen record levels of household saving. </li>
<li>Now, however, supply chain and other issues are quickly beginning to force up prices of basic products and these increases are having a real impact on household budgets.</li>
<li>How long this situation may last is the big question but the focus on price means discount food retailers like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kobe-bussan-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4701:1" rel="noopener">Kobe Bussan (3038 JP)</a> are likely to boom.</li>
</ul>


The government has promised consumers price inflation for almost a decade now but the only real result of this policy is that we’ve seen record levels of household saving. 
Now, however, supply chain and other issues are quickly beginning to force up prices of basic products and these increases are having a real impact on household budgets.
How long this situation may last is the big question but the focus on price means discount food retailers like Kobe Bussan (3038 JP) are likely to boom.


Japanese Households Focus on Price as Inflation Fears Spike

<ul>
<li>Consumers have long believed that inflation is about to return – an idea promoted by Abenomics since 2012 despite a stubborn lack of actual progress.</li>
<li>Now, analysts think real inflation might be just around the corner and consumers’ fears could suddenly be justified. </li>
<li>Retailers have begun to announce a series of price cuts, recognising consumers’ worries about prices and looking to reassure and gain market share at the same time.</li>
</ul>


Consumers have long believed that inflation is about to return – an idea promoted by Abenomics since 2012 despite a stubborn lack of actual progress.
Now, analysts think real inflation might be just around the corner and consumers’ fears could suddenly be justified. 
Retailers have begun to announce a series of price cuts, recognising consumers’ worries about prices and looking to reassure and gain market share at the same time.


Nitori and Muji: Cutting Prices as Inflation Nears

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Seven &amp; I still owns 35% of York Holdings and there are still many close operational ties.</li>
<li>A year on from the demerger, York is planning more investment in stores, private label, and experiential shopping in the hope of dragging back price-conscious shoppers.</li>
<li>It is also considering acquiring other food retailers in the Kanto region – but unless it fixes the price perception problem, price-led competitors may take more share.</li>
</ul>


Seven &amp; I still owns 35% of York Holdings and there are still many close operational ties.
A year on from the demerger, York is planning more investment in stores, private label, and experiential shopping in the hope of dragging back price-conscious shoppers.
It is also considering acquiring other food retailers in the Kanto region – but unless it fixes the price perception problem, price-led competitors may take more share.


York Considers Acquiring Other Retailers but Needs to Improve Competitiveness Too

The following is an in-depth review of Japanese retail in the last 18 months covering all the main formats and categories, providing a quick way to see an overview of all the key trends and winners and losers in Japanese retailing now and going forward.FY2020 was an anomaly and one that businesses everywhere will want to forget and never repeat. There was more than enough pain among Japan’s top retailers last year, but equally some formats did surprisingly well given the circumstances.For most, work-from-home was the single most important factor in determining a chain’s fortunes. City-centre stores and shopping centres offering mostly discretionary shopping have been hit hard, as have convenience stores.But those chains selling essentials, healthcare, electronics and, most importantly, food, all saw their fortunes improve. The pandemic has also revealed the strong, dynamic players and exposed the weaker ones. Oh, and everyone needs to be online.

The following is an in-depth review of Japanese retail in the last 18 months covering all the main formats and categories, providing a quick way to see an overview of all the key trends and winners and losers in Japanese retailing now and going forward.FY2020 was an anomaly and one that businesses everywhere will want to forget and never repeat. There was more than enough pain among Japan’s top retailers last year, but equally some formats did surprisingly well given the circumstances.For most, work-from-home was the single most important factor in determining a chain’s fortunes. City-centre stores and shopping centres offering mostly discretionary shopping have been hit hard, as have convenience stores.But those chains selling essentials, healthcare, electronics and, most importantly, food, all saw their fortunes improve. The pandemic has also revealed the strong, dynamic players and exposed the weaker ones. Oh, and everyone needs to be online.

The Polarising Pandemic in Japanese Retail

Japan

Pan Pacific International Holdings Corporation operates discount stores which sell consumer electronics, daily necessities, groceries, watches, and sporting goods. The Company mostly operates small scale stores based in Tokyo.

Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP)

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Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP)

Japan's New Food Boom: Frozen Food

Frozen food sales have boomed during the pandemic but the new enthusiasm for all things frozen is a long-term trend and some retailers and...

Michael Causton

Japanese Households Focus on Price as Inflation Fears Spike

Pressure on household budgets from rising prices – real and perceived – are causing Japanese consumers to focus even further on prices. This will...

Michael Causton

Nitori and Muji: Cutting Prices as Inflation Nears

Japanese non-FMCG retailers are facing pressure to cut prices as consumers, under pressure from rising prices of basics like food. In home...

Michael Causton

York Considers Acquiring Other Retailers but Needs to Improve Competitiveness Too

Seven & I's York Holdings plans to invest in M&A, stores and private label to attract price-conscious shoppers, but must address price perception...

Michael Causton

The Polarising Pandemic in Japanese Retail

A complete review of the Japanese retail sector in the last 18 months, format by format, category by category, providing key trends and winners &...

Michael Causton

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Japan's New Food Boom: Frozen Food

Frozen food sales have boomed during the pandemic but the new enthusiasm for all things frozen is a long-term trend and some retailers and...

Michael Causton

Japanese Households Focus on Price as Inflation Fears Spike

Pressure on household budgets from rising prices – real and perceived – are causing Japanese consumers to focus even further on prices. This will...

Michael Causton

Nitori and Muji: Cutting Prices as Inflation Nears

Japanese non-FMCG retailers are facing pressure to cut prices as consumers, under pressure from rising prices of basics like food. In home...

Michael Causton

York Considers Acquiring Other Retailers but Needs to Improve Competitiveness Too

​Seven & I's York Holdings plans to invest in M&A, stores and private label to attract price-conscious shoppers, but must address price perception...

Michael Causton

The Polarising Pandemic in Japanese Retail

A complete review of the Japanese retail sector in the last 18 months, format by format, category by category, providing key trends and winners &...

Michael Causton

Seven & I's York Holdings plans to invest in M&A, stores and private label to attract price-conscious shoppers, but must address price perception...