Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Michael is co-founder and partner at 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 and seminars on retail sectors and consumer trends, as well as telephone consulting/meetings with investors. 

All of JapanConsuming's team are bilingual and bi-cultural, and the company's research sources are:

Direct meetings with retailers, wholesalers, distributors, trade body staff, govt., marketing firms, academics etc.
Govt. data
Trade association data
Trade Press across all consumer sectors
Unique Network of buyers/managers/marketing staff at retail, as well as wholesalers and trading firms.
Editors/Journalists at publishing houses and PR/Ad firms.


JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

Michael Causton set up and ran a consumer distribution business in Tokyo for 10 years and developed this into a business responsible for annual imports to Japan of several billion Yen, at the same time building up an inside knowledge of how Japanese distribution works and developing a network of contacts across the industry. Seeing the lack of quality market intelligence on Japanese markets, he co-founded JapanConsuming in 2000. He divides his time between Japan and Europe/US consulting for companies, governments and investors, including providing talks, seminars, and webinars as well as writing reports and books.

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Familymart Installs First Amazon Delivery Lockers

Japan Convenience Stores Still Innovating in a Saturated Market

Lawson's New Online Service Is Working, Doubles Coverage

FamilyMart Tender for Don Quijote - Elmer vs Mr. Partridge?

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)

Japan Consumer staples / Thematic (Sector/Industry)

The problem of 24-7 operating contracts in all of the largest convenience stores is still to be solved, as is the labour shortage problem.Last month, Familymart began a trial of reduced hours across 300 stores, while Lawson is running an experiment making one store staff-less during the wee small hours.Solving this problem is critical for the future of the format. The labour shortage has already led to higher wages for part-time workers, impacting profitability for franchisees and franchisors alike and creating significant tensions in their relationship as well as between the convenience store chains and the government.Below is a quick update on the latest trials by retailers.

The problem of 24-7 operating contracts in all of the largest convenience stores is still to be solved, as is the labour shortage problem.Last month, Familymart began a trial of reduced hours across 300 stores, while Lawson is running an experiment making one store staff-less during the wee small hours.Solving this problem is critical for the future of the format. The labour shortage has already led to higher wages for part-time workers, impacting profitability for franchisees and franchisors alike and creating significant tensions in their relationship as well as between the convenience store chains and the government.Below is a quick update on the latest trials by retailers.

Japanese Convenience Stores Looking to Solve the 24-7 Operation Problem

Japan Consumer Staples

Japanese Convenience Stores Looking to Solve the 24-7 Operation Problem