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>What is the current consumer environment for brands and retailers? Households are increasingly worried about inflation and have already begun to cut back on spending significantly. </li>
<li>With further international turmoil, inflation caused by a weak Yen and high import costs, depressed sentiment may not be going away soon.</li>
<li>One counter to this is bonuses which rose in December. Many companies say they need to pay more to keep staff from taking jobs elsewhere as the labour shortage worsens.</li>
</ul>


What is the current consumer environment for brands and retailers? Households are increasingly worried about inflation and have already begun to cut back on spending significantly. 
With further international turmoil, inflation caused by a weak Yen and high import costs, depressed sentiment may not be going away soon.
One counter to this is bonuses which rose in December. Many companies say they need to pay more to keep staff from taking jobs elsewhere as the labour shortage worsens.


Japanese Consumers Update: Price Pressure Reducing Spending but Bonuses Up

<ul>
<li>Despite the tourist boom, sales to locals remain less consistent, with sales actually falling in October and less than stellar results before then. </li>
<li>So more department stores will close this year as owners review aging buildings and weigh whether costs will exceed profit potential longer-term.</li>
<li>Even in central Nagoya, plans for major redevelopment of the station area mean Meitetsu Department Store is likely to close. </li>
</ul>


Despite the tourist boom, sales to locals remain less consistent, with sales actually falling in October and less than stellar results before then. 
So more department stores will close this year as owners review aging buildings and weigh whether costs will exceed profit potential longer-term.
Even in central Nagoya, plans for major redevelopment of the station area mean Meitetsu Department Store is likely to close. 


Takashimaya to Close Sakai Store, Meitetsu Nagoya Future in Doubt

Japanese Equity Specialist, Ortus Advisors

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Equity Specialist

Ortus Advisors

<ul>
<li>Tech and Semi's rebounding sharply which should see related names in JP trade better after yesterdays persistent weakness.</li>
<li>Da Vinci procedures seeing strong growth...will Sysmex's Hinotori also fly? </li>
<li>Tourist numbers surging in JP should see YTD losers back in the spotlight.</li>
</ul>


Tech and Semi's rebounding sharply which should see related names in JP trade better after yesterdays persistent weakness.
Da Vinci procedures seeing strong growth...will Sysmex's Hinotori also fly? 
Tourist numbers surging in JP should see YTD losers back in the spotlight.


Japan Morning Connection: CPI to the Rescue for Risk-On Growth Style Plays

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
Couche-Tard execs do the rounds in Tokyo, complaining about not being able to do the rounds. This sounds like they are trying to make themselves sound nice. For now</li>
<li>First the low-balled VTOs for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/advanced-info-service-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:947:1" rel="noopener">AIS (ADVANC TB)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/thaicom-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18019:1" rel="noopener">Thaicom (THCOM TB)</a>. Then the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/intouch-holdings-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17638:1" rel="noopener">Intouch (INTUCH TB)</a>/<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gulf-energy-development-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26038:1" rel="noopener">Gulf Energy (GULF TB)</a> amalgamation. Then, arguably, the next unorthodox development will take place.</li>
<li>Investors buying <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samty-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:43711:1" rel="noopener">SAMTY HOLDINGS (187A JP)</a> in size may withhold shares, either they'll try to become the fulcrum investor to get into the Bidco OR they will try for a bump.</li>
</ul>



Couche-Tard execs do the rounds in Tokyo, complaining about not being able to do the rounds. This sounds like they are trying to make themselves sound nice. For now
First the low-balled VTOs for AIS (ADVANC TB) and Thaicom (THCOM TB). Then the Intouch (INTUCH TB)/Gulf Energy (GULF TB) amalgamation. Then, arguably, the next unorthodox development will take place.
Investors buying SAMTY HOLDINGS (187A JP) in size may withhold shares, either they'll try to become the fulcrum investor to get into the Bidco OR they will try for a bump.


Last Week in Event SPACE: Seven & I/Couche-Tard, Intouch, SAMTY, Korea Zinc/Young Poong

Travis Lundy

<ul>
<li>Today, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/takashimaya-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:370:1" rel="noopener">Takashimaya (8233 JP)</a> reported Q2 earnings, a dividend hike, upward revisions to the FY26 MTMP, and a decent-sized buyback to raise leverage levels and ROE.</li>
<li>The company is yen-sensitive both in overseas retail and domestic department stores on inbound traffic. One could imagine future issues. </li>
<li>The register looks like it is quite open. It is not. That is worth considering now and in future.</li>
</ul>


Today, Takashimaya (8233 JP) reported Q2 earnings, a dividend hike, upward revisions to the FY26 MTMP, and a decent-sized buyback to raise leverage levels and ROE.
The company is yen-sensitive both in overseas retail and domestic department stores on inbound traffic. One could imagine future issues. 
The register looks like it is quite open. It is not. That is worth considering now and in future.


Takashimaya (8233 JP) Decent Earnings, BIG Buyback (Odd Register Dynamics)

Japan

Takashimaya Company, Limited., founded in Kyoto in 1831, operates department stores.  The Company's main stores are located in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Takashimaya also operates department stores in Paris, France, Singapore, China, Australia, and New York, USA.  The Company retails clothing, foods, art objects, sundry goods, and household utensils.  The Company also operates restaurants.

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Takashimaya (8233 JP)

Japanese Consumers Update: Price Pressure Reducing Spending but Bonuses Up

Households are cutting back on spending due to inflation worries, while companies are increasing bonuses to retain staff amidst a labor shortage –...

Michael Causton

Takashimaya to Close Sakai Store, Meitetsu Nagoya Future in Doubt

Tourist boom fails to boost local sales, leading to closure of more department stores as owners assess profit potential and redevelopment plans loom.

Michael Causton

Japan Morning Connection: CPI to the Rescue for Risk-On Growth Style Plays

Tech and Semi's rebounding should be positive for related JP names. Da Vinci procedures show strong numbers - what of Hinotori? JP tourist numbers...

Andrew Jackson

Last Week in Event SPACE: Seven & I/Couche-Tard, Intouch, SAMTY, Korea Zinc/Young Poong

It’s Sunday! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed during the...

David Blennerhassett