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>Something remarkable has happened in the department store sector. A year ago, both big city stores and those in the regions were all still well behind sales levels in 2010. </li>
<li>But stores in the largest 10 cities exceeded 2010 sales levels by 2% last year. Emphasising the yawning gap, regional stores extended their losses with sales down 42% on 2010.</li>
<li>The elite have also suddenly started making money. A lot of it. We now have a (very profitable) luxury retail sector and a (poor returning) middle-market general merchandise store sector.</li>
</ul>


Something remarkable has happened in the department store sector. A year ago, both big city stores and those in the regions were all still well behind sales levels in 2010. 
But stores in the largest 10 cities exceeded 2010 sales levels by 2% last year. Emphasising the yawning gap, regional stores extended their losses with sales down 42% on 2010.
The elite have also suddenly started making money. A lot of it. We now have a (very profitable) luxury retail sector and a (poor returning) middle-market general merchandise store sector.


Japanese Department Stores: The Elite Profit Machines

Japanese Equity Specialist, Ortus Advisors

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Equity Specialist

Ortus Advisors

<ul>
<li>Further PM Ishiba flip-flopping on his previously hawkish rates policy, set to catch markets wrong footed today.</li>
<li>Homebuilders may face a bigger fallout than expected from hurricane Helene given the potential to squeeze margins as materials and workers are prioritized for emergency efforts.</li>
<li>Exporters including autos, R/E and tourism related names should see renewed interest on the weak yen.</li>
</ul>


Further PM Ishiba flip-flopping on his previously hawkish rates policy, set to catch markets wrong footed today.
Homebuilders may face a bigger fallout than expected from hurricane Helene given the potential to squeeze margins as materials and workers are prioritized for emergency efforts.
Exporters including autos, R/E and tourism related names should see renewed interest on the weak yen.


Japan Morning Connection: Exporters to Jump on the Weak Yen

<ul>
<li>Core inflation rates remain stubbornly high and real wages are still falling. </li>
<li>Surveys suggest one more major round of price hikes in October but the government still thinks prices will stabilise below its 2% target by the end of the year.</li>
<li>The increases are lowering consumer confidence – bad news for most retailers, although major discount chains are making hay while the sun, well, doesn’t shine.</li>
</ul>


Core inflation rates remain stubbornly high and real wages are still falling. 
Surveys suggest one more major round of price hikes in October but the government still thinks prices will stabilise below its 2% target by the end of the year.
The increases are lowering consumer confidence – bad news for most retailers, although major discount chains are making hay while the sun, well, doesn’t shine.


Japanese Prices Rise Again; 60% of Consumers Feeling the Pinch and Looking for Better Value

<ul>
<li>There has been a long-term trend of market concentration in Japan's retail sector for more than a decade.</li>
<li>But consolidation is accelerating due to the pressures to find growth in a depopulating market and the winner takes all phenomenon which rewards the leading chains.</li>
<li>With higher growth and greater access to capital for the best retailers, the net result is dramatically higher levels of M&amp;A in sectors like drugstores and even supermarkets.  </li>
</ul>


There has been a long-term trend of market concentration in Japan's retail sector for more than a decade.
But consolidation is accelerating due to the pressures to find growth in a depopulating market and the winner takes all phenomenon which rewards the leading chains.
With higher growth and greater access to capital for the best retailers, the net result is dramatically higher levels of M&amp;A in sectors like drugstores and even supermarkets.  


Japan Retail: Market Concentration Accelerates Through M&A and Organic Growth

<ul>
<li>Estee Lauder continues to  underwhelm on its China strategy, making names with less country exposure such as Kose look increasingly attractive</li>
<li>While the 7&amp;I deal outcome remains highly  uncertain, NKY225 replacement candidates should see a lift in the short-term</li>
<li>This includes PPIH, which looks oversold after yesterdays negative price reaction to the Founder's 22 year old son being promoted to a non-exec director.</li>
</ul>


Estee Lauder continues to  underwhelm on its China strategy, making names with less country exposure such as Kose look increasingly attractive
While the 7&amp;I deal outcome remains highly  uncertain, NKY225 replacement candidates should see a lift in the short-term
This includes PPIH, which looks oversold after yesterdays negative price reaction to the Founder's 22 year old son being promoted to a non-exec director.


Japan Morning Connection: Kose, 7&I, PPIH

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 Department Stores: The Elite Profit Machines

Dept. stores in big cities have grown 2% since 2010, but regional are down 42%, a massive gap. The elite luxury sector is thriving, with big...

Michael Causton

Japan Morning Connection: Exporters to Jump on the Weak Yen

PM Ishiba's policy shift could surprise markets, hurricane Helene may impact homebuilders more than expected, and exporters such as autos and...

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Prices Rise Again; 60% of Consumers Feeling the Pinch and Looking for Better Value

Japanese consumer markets have three big trends: higher prices/squeezed incomes, doubling of single households and more people feeling the pinch....

Michael Causton

Japan Retail: Market Concentration Accelerates Through M&A and Organic Growth

Market concentration in Japan's retail sector has been increasing due to the need for growth in a shrinking market, leading to a surge in M&A...

Michael Causton

Japan Morning Connection: Kose, 7&I, PPIH

Estee Lauder continues to struggle while those with less China exposure such as Kose look more attractive. Uncertainty over 7&I deal should lift...

Andrew Jackson

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Japanese Department Stores: The Elite Profit Machines

​Dept. stores in big cities have grown 2% since 2010, but regional are down 42%, a massive gap. The elite luxury sector is thriving, with big...

Michael Causton

Japan Morning Connection: Exporters to Jump on the Weak Yen

​PM Ishiba's policy shift could surprise markets, hurricane Helene may impact homebuilders more than expected, and exporters such as autos and...

Andrew Jackson

Japanese Prices Rise Again; 60% of Consumers Feeling the Pinch and Looking for Better Value

Japanese consumer markets have three big trends: higher prices/squeezed incomes, doubling of single households and more people feeling the pinch....

Michael Causton

Japan Retail: Market Concentration Accelerates Through M&A and Organic Growth

​Market concentration in Japan's retail sector has been increasing due to the need for growth in a shrinking market, leading to a surge in M&A...

Michael Causton

Japan Morning Connection: Kose, 7&I, PPIH

Estee Lauder continues to struggle while those with less China exposure such as Kose look more attractive. Uncertainty over 7&I deal should lift...

Andrew Jackson

Dept. stores in big cities have grown 2% since 2010, but regional are down 42%, a massive gap. The elite luxury sector is thriving, with big...

PM Ishiba's policy shift could surprise markets, hurricane Helene may impact homebuilders more than expected, and exporters such as autos and...

Market concentration in Japan's retail sector has been increasing due to the need for growth in a shrinking market, leading to a surge in M&A...