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>After seeing Trial acquire Seiyu, Chubu-based supermarket group, Valor, has announced it will expand into other regions too, accelerating its plans by two years. </li>
<li>It hopes to take advantage of the current disruption happening in the supermarket sector.</li>
<li>First stop will be Kansai which is ripe for disruption given the poor competitive positioning of the incumbents.</li>
</ul>


After seeing Trial acquire Seiyu, Chubu-based supermarket group, Valor, has announced it will expand into other regions too, accelerating its plans by two years. 
It hopes to take advantage of the current disruption happening in the supermarket sector.
First stop will be Kansai which is ripe for disruption given the poor competitive positioning of the incumbents.


Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Consumer distribution has been transformed since 2020 through accelerated concentration of market share. While some has come about through organic growth, the real drivers have been M&amp;A and MBOs. </li>
<li>The result is a realignment of the retail leader board as companies like PPI, Welcia and Trial buy their way to the top, while others, notably Seven &amp; I, shrink.</li>
<li>Here we identify the retail leaders in driving consolidation going forward, and the intensifying pressure on both smaller retailers and the wholesalers that supply them.</li>
</ul>


Consumer distribution has been transformed since 2020 through accelerated concentration of market share. While some has come about through organic growth, the real drivers have been M&amp;A and MBOs. 
The result is a realignment of the retail leader board as companies like PPI, Welcia and Trial buy their way to the top, while others, notably Seven &amp; I, shrink.
Here we identify the retail leaders in driving consolidation going forward, and the intensifying pressure on both smaller retailers and the wholesalers that supply them.


[Japan M&A] Who Owns Who: The Growing Concentration of Power in Japanese Consumer Markets

<ul>
<li>Results for FY2022-23 provide a snapshot of winners and losers in Japan's retail sector.</li>
<li>The data shows a big improvement in performance for retailers with sales of ¥250 billion or more and the outlook is positive for most, particularly for profits.</li>
<li>This also means that market concentration is intensifying, particularly in sectors like drugstores but also now in supermarkets. We highlight the winners in each sector.</li>
</ul>


Results for FY2022-23 provide a snapshot of winners and losers in Japan's retail sector.
The data shows a big improvement in performance for retailers with sales of ¥250 billion or more and the outlook is positive for most, particularly for profits.
This also means that market concentration is intensifying, particularly in sectors like drugstores but also now in supermarkets. We highlight the winners in each sector.


<ul>
<li>Deep discounter OK Super’s entry into the Kansai market is causing local competitors real headaches –one estimate says it has taken 10% share around its first store already. </li>
<li>OK has exposed just how derivative most existing chains have become and, with the introduction of genuine price competition at a time when consumers are increasingly price sensitive</li>
<li>While OK Super is a private company, some of the competitors are listed like Kansai Food Market who, without new ideas, will suffer in the next three years.</li>
</ul>


Deep discounter OK Super’s entry into the Kansai market is causing local competitors real headaches –one estimate says it has taken 10% share around its first store already. 
OK has exposed just how derivative most existing chains have become and, with the introduction of genuine price competition at a time when consumers are increasingly price sensitive
While OK Super is a private company, some of the competitors are listed like Kansai Food Market who, without new ideas, will suffer in the next three years.


OK Super: Disrupting Kansai Supermarket Sector

<ul>
<li>Rakuten still gets a lot of flak for its mobile business but its core e-commerce operation continues to improve.</li>
<li>Rakuten will launch Rakuten Mart this month,  an online supermarket but with Rakuten Ichiba vendors too.</li>
<li>Online food retailing is becoming a major source of competition with Amazon, Aeon and Seven &amp; I all investing heavily but Rakuten is holding its own.</li>
</ul>


Rakuten still gets a lot of flak for its mobile business but its core e-commerce operation continues to improve.
Rakuten will launch Rakuten Mart this month,  an online supermarket but with Rakuten Ichiba vendors too.
Online food retailing is becoming a major source of competition with Amazon, Aeon and Seven &amp; I all investing heavily but Rakuten is holding its own.


Japan

VALOR HOLDINGS CO., LTD. is a chain store operator which handles perishables, general foods, and daily-use sundry goods.  The Company is active to diversify into new business including home centers, restaurants, fitness clubs, and pet shops. Valor is based in Gifu area and moving into Aichi, Kanagawa, and Tokyo.

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Valor Holdings (9956 JP)

Valor Responds to Trial-Seiyu Threat

Valor, a Chubu-based supermarket group, accelerates expansion plans after Trial acquires Seiyu, targeting Kansai region for disruption in the...

Michael Causton

[Japan M&A] Who Owns Who: The Growing Concentration of Power in Japanese Consumer Markets

Consumer distribution has shifted post-2020, with market concentration driven by M&A and MBOs. We identify the leaders of this consolidation,...

Michael Causton

Japan's Best Performing Retailers

There were strong improvements in both sales and profits for leading retailers last year and the following insight looks at the main winners and...

Michael Causton

OK Super: Disrupting Kansai Supermarket Sector

OK Super's entry into the Kansai market is shaking up local competitors with its deep discounts, posing a threat to existing chains lacking...

Michael Causton

Rakuten Mart Launching This Month

Despite criticism of its mobile business, Rakuten's core e-commerce operation is thriving and set to launch Rakuten Mart, an online supermarket,...

Michael Causton

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Valor Responds to Trial-Seiyu Threat

​Valor, a Chubu-based supermarket group, accelerates expansion plans after Trial acquires Seiyu, targeting Kansai region for disruption in the...

Michael Causton

[Japan M&A] Who Owns Who: The Growing Concentration of Power in Japanese Consumer Markets

​Consumer distribution has shifted post-2020, with market concentration driven by M&A and MBOs. We identify the leaders of this consolidation,...

Michael Causton

Japan's Best Performing Retailers

There were strong improvements in both sales and profits for leading retailers last year and the following insight looks at the main winners and...

Michael Causton

OK Super: Disrupting Kansai Supermarket Sector

​OK Super's entry into the Kansai market is shaking up local competitors with its deep discounts, posing a threat to existing chains lacking...

Michael Causton

Rakuten Mart Launching This Month

​Despite criticism of its mobile business, Rakuten's core e-commerce operation is thriving and set to launch Rakuten Mart, an online supermarket,...

Michael Causton

Valor, a Chubu-based supermarket group, accelerates expansion plans after Trial acquires Seiyu, targeting Kansai region for disruption in the...

Consumer distribution has shifted post-2020, with market concentration driven by M&A and MBOs. We identify the leaders of this consolidation,...

OK Super's entry into the Kansai market is shaking up local competitors with its deep discounts, posing a threat to existing chains lacking...

Despite criticism of its mobile business, Rakuten's core e-commerce operation is thriving and set to launch Rakuten Mart, an online supermarket,...