Report by JapanConsuming

The latest edition of JapanConsuming includes commentary on 1) the proposal to bring Welcia and Tsuruha together to form a new FMCG mega-retailer. Although both are designated drugstores, their expansion into food and general FMCG means the creation of what will be Japan’s single largest retail chain by sales, sending shockwaves across the entire industry. 2) KDDI acquiring 50% of Lawson, making it a partner to Mitsubishi Shoji in running the third largest convenience store chain. It’s a big deal, but no one really knows what KDDI’s aims are. Some more imaginative analysts suggest this could be just the first step towards KDDI merging with Rakuten in order to beat Amazon.

Report by JapanConsuming

Top stories from this month’s issue of JapanConsuming include: 1) Seven & I has finally sold Sogo Seibu - it will be pleased to have offloaded a loss-making format it never really understood, but at a cost, it will write off ¥90bn+ in loans. 2) Tsuruha is the latest retailer to come under attack from an activist investment fund. 3) ABC Mart expands its lead in footwear. 4) 3Coins, a variety store run by Pal Group, looks to have a strong future. 5) Frozen Foods becoming mainstream. 6) JapanConsuming’s FOCUS article discusses how the country is witnessing the emergence of a new elite group of department stores who are far ahead even of their big city peers.