Key stories from Japan's retail and consumer markets
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.
Edition: 181
- 08 March, 2024
Technology
Jeff Lawson (Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO) purchases 158k shares at $63.26, spending $10m - this marks a reversal from a series of sales, most recently at $264 (Jan 2022). His only previous buy was at $23.43 in May 2017. Donna Dubinsky (Non-Exec since 2018) purchased $251k on the same day. This is her first time buying shares in TWLO and a reversal from sells at higher prices. She didn't acquire any shares at either of her previous Non-Exec roles. These purchases follow recently posted year-end results along with a workforce reduction and $1bn buyback.
Edition: 155
- 03 March, 2023