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>100 Yen shops are expanding more rapidly after several tougher years dealing with the twin problems of labour shortages and higher wages – a particular issue for fixed price retailers.</li>
<li>With more flexible pricing models and high demand for discount retailing, there is optimism again.</li>
<li>Aeon, now the owner of Can Do, plans to double the size of its new acquisition and spread its merchandise across the Aeon empire.</li>
</ul>


100 Yen shops are expanding more rapidly after several tougher years dealing with the twin problems of labour shortages and higher wages – a particular issue for fixed price retailers.
With more flexible pricing models and high demand for discount retailing, there is optimism again.
Aeon, now the owner of Can Do, plans to double the size of its new acquisition and spread its merchandise across the Aeon empire.


Can Do to Double Stores in 5 Years – and Boost Profits Too

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<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

PAL GROUP Holdings Co., Ltd. / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pal-group-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2633:1" rel="noopener">PAL GROUP Holdings Co., Ltd. (2726 JP)</a> is mostly a fashion retailer but two decades ago created a new discount variety chain called 3Coins. </li>
<li>3Coins has been one of the best performing retailers during the pandemic, building up a loyal following thanks to its diverse range of popular products.</li>
<li>Sales tripled in the decade to last year but look set to increase a further 25% this year alone.</li>
</ul>



PAL GROUP Holdings Co., Ltd. (2726 JP) is mostly a fashion retailer but two decades ago created a new discount variety chain called 3Coins. 
3Coins has been one of the best performing retailers during the pandemic, building up a loyal following thanks to its diverse range of popular products.
Sales tripled in the decade to last year but look set to increase a further 25% this year alone.


3Coins Proves a Hit in Pandemic and Moves into Food

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Aeon is on the acquisition trail again and not only in the drugstore sector through its <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/welcia-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20895:1" rel="noopener">Welcia Holdings (3141 JP)</a> subsidiary.</li>
<li>Japan's biggest retailer also consolidated its hold on the island of Shikoku by increasing its stake in Fuji and will now own more than 20% of all retail sales.</li>
<li>Signalling its ambitions to carve out a large share of the discount market, Aeon also acquired the 100 YEN retailer, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/can-do-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6879:1" rel="noopener">Can Do Co Ltd (2698 JP).</a>
</li>
</ul>


Aeon is on the acquisition trail again and not only in the drugstore sector through its Welcia Holdings (3141 JP) subsidiary.
Japan's biggest retailer also consolidated its hold on the island of Shikoku by increasing its stake in Fuji and will now own more than 20% of all retail sales.
Signalling its ambitions to carve out a large share of the discount market, Aeon also acquired the 100 YEN retailer, Can Do Co Ltd (2698 JP).



Aeon Consolidates Through Fuji and Steps up Discounting Via Can Do

Executive Director, Metrical Inc

Aki Matsumoto

Executive Director

Independent Leading Corporate Governance Research

Metrical Inc

METRICAL INC. is an independent leading Corporate Governance research firm in Japan where Corporate Governance is increasingly recognized as an important element on corporate management in these days. Thus, CG research and solutions would become an essential component of global capital markets and play important to contribute to transparency of the markets and maximize shareholders’ value in Japan. 

METRICAL INC. provides Corporate Governance research and analysis including rating services, and  also offers investment research and IR services with solutions and customized profound research on CG and IR issues.

<ul>
<li>I would like to think once again about why Seria chose the Standard Market instead of the Prime Market from the corporate governance perspective.</li>
<li>Seria's thoughts on the impact of Cando (2698) becoming a subsidiary of Aeon (8267) were explained at the analyst meeting on November 12.</li>
<li>I would like to take a fresh look at the environment surrounding the 100 yen store industry.</li>
</ul>


I would like to think once again about why Seria chose the Standard Market instead of the Prime Market from the corporate governance perspective.
Seria's thoughts on the impact of Cando (2698) becoming a subsidiary of Aeon (8267) were explained at the analyst meeting on November 12.
I would like to take a fresh look at the environment surrounding the 100 yen store industry.


Japan's Governance: TSE Market Reorganization Update and 100 Yen Shop Industry Reorganization: Seria

Japan

Seria Co., Ltd. operates 100 yen chain stores nationwide.   The Company also operates franchise business.  Seria's main product line includes household goods and snacks.

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Seria Co Ltd (2782 JP)

Can Do to Double Stores in 5 Years – and Boost Profits Too

While Seria and Daiso have grown significantly over the last decade, Can Do has barely moved. Now backed by Aeon, Can Do plans to double in size,...

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

3Coins Proves a Hit in Pandemic and Moves into Food

Discount retail is booming in Japan and one of the winners is 3Coins, operated by fashion firm, Pal Group. While Pal suffers negatively from the...

Michael Causton

Aeon Consolidates Through Fuji and Steps up Discounting Via Can Do

Aeon continues to consolidate retail share. Its acquisition of Fuji will give it 20% share of all retail sales in Shikoku while its purchase of Can...

Michael Causton

Japan's Governance: TSE Market Reorganization Update and 100 Yen Shop Industry Reorganization: Seria

I would like to take a fresh look at the environment of the 100-yen store industry, including the reason why Seria chose the standard market and...

Metrical Inc

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