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Retail

Walmart Looks To Exit Japan With Seiyu Supermarket Sale: Nikkei

By Publications Checkout
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Walmart Looks To Exit Japan With Seiyu Supermarket Sale: Nikkei

US retailer Walmart Inc. has decided to sell Japanese supermarket chain Seiyu and has already approached major retailers and private equity funds, the Nikkei business daily reported on Thursday.

If realised, the sale could amount to around 300 billion to 500 billion yen ($2.7 billion to $4.5 billion), the Nikkei said, without citing its sources.

Walmart said it does not comment on market speculation.

Shaking Up Overseas Business

A sale would be the latest exit by Walmart from a lower-growth market as it looks to shake up its overseas business and invest in places like China and India.

The world's biggest retailer said last month it had sold an 80% stake in its Brazilian operations to private equity firm Advent International, exiting an underperforming business in its third major international deal since April.

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In addition to competition from online retailers such as Amazon.com, Japan's supermarkets are being squeezed by chains such as convenience stores and discount drugstores in a sluggish consumption environment.

In January Walmart said it was launching an online grocery service with Rakuten Inc., in what Rakuten CEO Hiroshi Mikitani said he hoped may be a precursor to greater global cooperation.

Walmart has struggled to replicate the success of its low-price model with Seiyu despite the introduction of an 'everyday low price' pledge and frequent discounting.

Industry Consolidation

Japanese supermarkets, with lots of workers preparing fresh food and high levels of customer service, are famous for their low margins and are proving a drag for many retailers.

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Recent industry consolidation saw the creation of FamilyMart Uny Holdings Co Ltd in 2016, a deal that focused on expanding the number of FamilyMart convenience stores. Such stores have increasingly become a priority for retailers as a growth driver.

Discounter Don Quijote Holdings Co. Ltd has taken a 40% stake in Uny as it looks for room to expand. Earlier this year Seven & i Holdings Co Ltd announced a tie-up with regional general merchandise store chain Izumi Co. Ltd .

Japan's supermarket industry has proved difficult for foreign retail giants, with exits by Tesco in 2011 and Carrefour in 2005.

News by Reuters, edited by ESM. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.

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