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

Sanyo Shokai Signs Joint Venture with Spanish Brand Ecolaf but It Won't Stop the Rot

Japan Fashion Market Review 2019 Part I: A Stable Market but Tougher Trading All Round

Seven & I: Sogo Seibu to Close 30% of Remaining Stores

Seven & I's Sogo Seibu Loses Kansai Branches, Converting More Stores to SCs

Japan Department Stores 2018: Some Growth Again and Even Real Profits – Part II

Japan Department Stores 2018: Some Growth Again and Even Real Profits – Part I

Seven & I Holdings: Better Late than Never

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 Retailing / Thematic (Sector/Industry)

The department store sector witnessed a small drop in sales in FY2018 but, considering the large number of closures and conversions, this was a solid result and reflective of the continued support for the format from wealthy Japanese and inbound tourists.
However, only cosmetics and accessories floors performed well while the important apparel category continued to decline sharply. Food floors also suffered a set back last year.
However, the overall data belies a much more positive outlook for the leading stores and chains.
After 20 years of dithering, management has come to a consensus that taking control of sales floors – and becoming real retailers again – is good for growth and especially the bottom line. Department stores will never deliver market leading growth but they could offer investors an opportunity if OP rises significantly. The building blocks are at least being put in place that could make this happen.
As well as this review of the sector, we have also posted an update on the top four department store firms and their medium-term strategies (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/hell-will-freeze-over-and-some-japanese-department-stores-will-increase-opm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hell Will Freeze over and (Some) Japanese Department Stores Will Increase OPM</a>).

The department store sector witnessed a small drop in sales in FY2018 but, considering the large number of closures and conversions, this was a solid result and reflective of the continued support for the format from wealthy Japanese and inbound tourists.
However, only cosmetics and accessories floors performed well while the important apparel category continued to decline sharply. Food floors also suffered a set back last year.
However, the overall data belies a much more positive outlook for the leading stores and chains.
After 20 years of dithering, management has come to a consensus that taking control of sales floors – and becoming real retailers again – is good for growth and especially the bottom line. Department stores will never deliver market leading growth but they could offer investors an opportunity if OP rises significantly. The building blocks are at least being put in place that could make this happen.
As well as this review of the sector, we have also posted an update on the top four department store firms and their medium-term strategies (Hell Will Freeze over and (Some) Japanese Department Stores Will Increase OPM).

Japanese Department Stores 2018-19: Taking New Risks Creates Opportunity