About

Relevant, practical intelligence on Japanese consumer markets

Focus

JapanConsuming does just one thing: provide intelligence on Japanese retail & consumer markets. This focus provides clients with expert analysis whether through report, call, meeting or seminar.

Expert Analysis

In the last 15 years JapanConsuming has built a team that combines business insight and market analysis skills to provide intelligence that is clear, insightful and above all usable. Our clients consistently comment on how our data and analysis has led directly to new business and better performance whether in sales, marketing, investment or M&A.

Deep Data and Wide Coverage

We cover all consumer sectors. We research retail trends, product development and launches, consumer buying trends, financial performance and company strategies. One of the tenets of our business is the quality of our research. We are constantly monitoring retail and consumer markets and trends and invest heavily in new resources. We also have a special focus on the activities of non-Japanese companies in Japan to help clients make relevant cross-comparisons. JapanConsuming is the only company of its kind.

Real Experience

JapanConsuming's team have an average 2o years working in Japanese retail & consumer markets. Because we’ve been there, working in distribution, building brands, selling to retailers, dealing with trading companies, we know what intelligence our clients need. Some companies spend years accumulating this knowledge after beginning operations in Japan. Our clients are able to draw on JapanConsuming's experience and resources to save years in undertaking their own research on Japan.

Clients

Below is a sample of the range of our clients

Adidas

Ralph Lauren

Gap

Giorgio Armani

L’Oreal

Walt Disney

J Walter Thompson

Richemont

Tiffany

UBI France

Godiva

Costco

Fidelity

Wellington

Body Shop

Max Factor

Inditex

LVMH

H&M

Groupe Seb

Wedgwood

Baillie Gifford

QVC

Quiksilver

Trussardi

Toys 'R' Us

Columbia Sportswear

Zegna

Estee Lauder

Levi Strauss

Nike

Timberland

Danone

Tory Burch

Deckers

Lacoste

Baccarat

McCann Erikson

Nespresso

Calzedonia

VF Corp

SDV

Robert Walters

McKinsey

About the Founders

Michael Causton

Michael Causton is an expert on Japanese distribution and marketing. Following masters degrees from Cambridge and Stirling Universities, he created CFN in Tokyo in 1992 to distribute apparel and other consumer goods in Japan, and developed this into a business responsible for annual exports of several billion Yen within eight years, at the same time building up an inside knowledge of how Japanese distribution works. Seeing the lack of quality market intelligence on Japanese markets, he co-founded JapanConsuming in 2000. Today, as advisor, he regularly consults for companies and governments, including providing talks, seminars, and webinars.

Roy Larke

Roy Larke moved to Japan in 1985 and worked as an academic at major universities in Kobe and Tokyo as Professor of International Marketing and Japanese Business. He co-founded JapanConsuming where he consults for numerous consumer goods companies and retailers on the Japanese market. He also regularly provides talks and seminars to companies, government agencies and chambers of commerce. Professor Larke has published widely on retailing and marketing in Japan, and has written four books. He is an expert on Japanese markets and society.

What We Do

  • Monthly Report
  • In-Depth Reports
  • Custom Research
  • Consultations (Phone and Meetings)
  • Seminars (to Boards, Investors, Stakeholders)
  • Presentations
  • Market Entry Consulting

How We Do It

JapanConsuming uses diverse sources and methods to create its market intelligence.

  • News gathering by JC research team
  • Company interviews
  • Newspaper and Trade journal monitoring
  • Meetings with retail buyers, traders, marketers
  • Industry Data Analysis
  • Retail Store Visits
  • Analysis of overseas company feedback
  • Extensive network of contacts across the industry
  • Government Data