Askul

Basic Information

Stock Code
2678
Industry
Retail
Category Detail
Internet Site Operations
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
November 1963
Listing Year
November 2000
Official Website
https://www.askul.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
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Overview

Askul is Japan's largest mail-order company for office supplies, established in 1963, with strengths in its rapid logistics network enabling next-day delivery.

Current Situation

Askul has consolidated sales of approximately 400 billion yen in 2020, covering a wide range from office supplies to food and daily necessities. It operates multiple logistics centers near major urban areas, enabling next-day delivery and scheduled time services. The EC service LOHACO, developed in collaboration with its parent company LINE Yahoo, is growing, and the company is expanding into medical and nursing care fields. In 2017, it suffered damage from a logistics warehouse fire but is advancing diversification by opening new logistics bases and making Charm, a major pet supplies company, a wholly-owned subsidiary. It is strengthening its fresh food EC business through collaboration with Seven & i Holdings. It has also set environmental goals such as zero CO2 emissions by 2030 and joined RE100 and EV100. Moving forward, it is expected to sustain growth through quick commerce and expansion of online mail-order operations.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Company name derives from 'comes tomorrow,' symbolizing rapid delivery.
  • Owns 7 large-scale logistics centers nationwide to enable next-day delivery.
  • Started as a subsidiary of Plus Corporation.
  • EC business launched in March 1997, a pioneer in Japan's mail-order.
  • LOHACO grew as B2C business through collaboration with Yahoo! JAPAN.
  • Suffered major damage from 2017 logistics warehouse fire, now focusing on safety enhancements.
  • Entered fresh food mail-order through collaboration with Seven & i.
  • Acquired pet supplies Charm as wholly-owned subsidiary for new market development.
  • One of Japan's leading companies joined RE100 & EV100.
  • Temporarily discontinued catalog booklets but revived immediately due to customer feedback.
  • Rare distribution model with both B2B and B2C sales channels.
  • Actively utilizes local stationery stores via agent networks.
  • Focuses on mail-order for medical & nursing supplies with dedicated specialized catalogs.
  • Signed agreements with local governments to serve as logistics bases during disasters.
  • Leads industry with quick commerce services.

Hidden Connections

  • Wholly-owned subsidiary of LINE Yahoo directly under SoftBank Group, with strong group synergies.
  • Capital ties with Plus (major stationery maker) dissolved, but brand and product collaborations maintained.
  • Strong ties with retail giant Seven & i Holdings via joint fresh food mail-order.
  • Post-logistics warehouse fire, underwent police search and compensation orders, significantly strengthened management systems.
  • Implemented management overhaul after conflicts with parent Yahoo (now Z Holdings).
  • Significantly boosted presence in pet supplies market via Charm acquisition.
  • Opened new logistics base ASKUL Value Center Hidaka reflecting LOHACO's marketing philosophy.
  • Integrated former EC brands like 'Asumaru' into unified management system.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of EC market and increase in online shopping users
  • Growing demand for quick commerce business
  • Rising needs in medical & nursing supplies market due to aging population
  • Increasing demand for fresh food mail-order and home needs
  • Growth in pet supplies market and rising pet ownership
  • Improved customer experience leveraging IT technology
  • Expanding demand for sustainability-compliant products
  • Promotion of logistics automation and efficiency technologies
  • Sales channel expansion to diverse customer segments
  • New market development effects from strategic partnerships
  • Increased customer acquisition via strengthened digital advertising & marketing
  • Gaining trust through enhanced local-focused sales

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve zero CO2 emissions
  • Realize 100% renewable energy usage
  • Integrate and optimize LOHACO and Askul businesses
  • Establish top domestic share in medical & nursing fields
  • Maintain market leadership in quick commerce
  • Transition logistics centers to full automation
  • Double pet supplies business sales
  • Strengthen nationwide expansion of fresh food mail-order
  • Penetrate and strengthen sustainability management
  • Maintain customer satisfaction above 90%

Business Segments

Corporate Office Supplies & Equipment Mail-Order

Overview
Provides rapid product delivery and comprehensive mail-order services to numerous customers.
Competitiveness
Next-day delivery network via 7 nationwide logistics centers
Customers
  • Small and Medium Enterprises
  • Large Corporations
  • Government Agencies
  • Educational Institutions
  • Hospitals & Medical Facilities
  • Nursing Care Facilities
  • SOHO
  • Freelancers
  • Startups
  • Non-Profit Organizations
Products
  • Stationery
  • Office Equipment
  • Office Furniture
  • OA Consumables
  • Copy Paper
  • IT Equipment
  • Health & Hygiene Supplies
  • Emergency Stockpiles
  • Beverages & Food
  • Medical Supplies
  • Hygiene Materials
  • PC Peripherals
  • Logistics Supplies
  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Fuel & Consumables

BtoC EC Site Operations

Overview
Operates EC services for general consumers centered on the LOHACO brand.
Competitiveness
Sales channel expansion through collaboration with Yahoo
Customers
  • Consumers
  • Sole Proprietors
  • Housewives
  • Younger Demographics
  • Corporate & Individual Dual Customers
Products
  • Daily Necessities
  • Food
  • Beverages
  • Over-the-Counter Pharmaceuticals
  • Pet Supplies
  • Cosmetics
  • Stationery
  • Sundries

Specialized Mail-Order for Medical & Nursing Facilities

Overview
Provides specialized catalogs and mail-order services for medical and nursing facilities.
Competitiveness
Broad needs coverage via specialized catalogs
Customers
  • Hospitals
  • Nursing Facilities
  • Welfare Facilities
  • Home Nursing Providers
  • Public Medical Institutions
Products
  • Medical Materials
  • Nursing Supplies
  • Hygiene Supplies
  • Infection Control Supplies

Logistics Services & Delivery Operations

Overview
Operates logistics bases for in-house and group use, along with delivery services.
Competitiveness
Advanced logistics center operation expertise and wide-area delivery network
Customers
  • In-House Logistics Management
  • Third-Party Delivery Contracts
  • Logistics Center Operations
  • EC Warehouse Management
  • Delivery Companies
Products
  • Logistics Center Operations
  • Warehouse Management Systems
  • Delivery Optimization Solutions
  • Packaging Materials
  • Delivery Services

Corporate Meal & Bento Home Delivery

Overview
Offers bento and catering home delivery services for corporations.
Competitiveness
Strengthened integration with corporate market delivery services
Customers
  • Corporate Welfare
  • Event Operators
  • Educational Institutions
  • Nursing Facilities
Products
  • Bento Delivery
  • Catering Services
  • Emergency Food
  • Food Stockpile Sets

Pet Product Sales

Overview
Provides product sales and related services leveraging major pet supplies firm Charm.
Competitiveness
Expanded product lineup through collaboration with Charm
Customers
  • Pet Owners
  • Pet Shops
  • Animal Hospitals
Products
  • Pet Food
  • Pet Supplies
  • Care Goods
  • Pet Medical Supplies

Fresh Food EC Business

Overview
Advances fresh food mail-order services in collaboration with Seven & i.
Competitiveness
Fresh-specialized logistics and delivery network
Customers
  • General Consumers
  • Corporate Customers
Products
  • Fresh Vegetables
  • Fresh Fish
  • Meat
  • Processed Foods

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Owns 7 advanced logistics centers nationwide
  • Strengthened collaboration with parent LINE Yahoo
  • Broad product lineup covering multiple categories
  • Rapid next-day delivery service system
  • Diverse customer base spanning corporate and individual
  • Medical & nursing care support via specialized catalogs
  • Abundant private brand products
  • Sales channels through collaborations across industries
  • Diversified entry into pet supplies market
  • Joined environmental initiatives RE100 & EV100
  • Powerful IT platform and EC technology
  • Expansion into new businesses like bento delivery
  • Comprehensive customer support and sales organization
  • Local agent networks
  • High brand recognition and trust

Competitive Advantages

  • Established nationwide logistics network centered on major urban areas for superior shipping capacity
  • Leveraging LINE Yahoo group's marketing power and customer base
  • One-stop purchasing for multi-category products
  • Strong relationships with existing retailers via agent collaborations
  • Differentiation through specialized catalogs for medical & nursing care
  • Industry-leading quick delivery via quick commerce
  • Comprehensive operation of both B2B and B2C services
  • Strengthened fresh EC through partnership with Seven & i
  • Enhanced product strength via major pet supplier Charm
  • Improved efficiency through new logistics bases and automation
  • Advancing social responsibility and environmental considerations
  • Enhanced user experience via high IT development capabilities
  • Improved customer convenience with diverse payment options
  • Stable management backed by strong finances and shareholder base
  • Securing uniqueness through ongoing original brand development

Threats

  • Intense EC market competition and risk of declining price competitiveness
  • Risk of business suspension from disasters like logistics warehouse fires
  • Impact on logistics and customer service from labor shortages
  • Management complexity risks from diversifying suppliers and customers
  • Competitive gap widening from delays in technological innovation
  • Cost increases from deregulation and stricter environmental regulations
  • Impact from difficulties adapting to diversifying consumer behaviors
  • Security risks such as personal data leaks
  • Management instability from disagreements with parent company
  • Profit pressure from rising logistics costs
  • Procurement cost fluctuations from global economic trends
  • Supply chain disruptions from poor weather or natural disasters

Innovations

2023: Made Pet Supplies E-Commerce Leader Charm a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary

Overview
Acquired Charm as a wholly-owned subsidiary to expand pet supplies business and synergies.
Impact
Expanded share in pet market and diversified revenue base.

2023: Opened New Logistics Base 'ASKUL Value Center Hidaka'

Overview
Opened new logistics center for LOHACO to improve delivery speed and efficiency.
Impact
Contributes to higher customer satisfaction and logistics cost reductions.

2022: Launched 'Happy On Time' Hourly Pickup Time Designation Service

Overview
Introduced fine-grained delivery time designation for EC products to enhance convenience.
Impact
Increased repeat rate through improved customer convenience.

2021: Launched Yahoo! Mart by ASKUL Service

Overview
Quick commerce for daily goods jointly operated by 3 Z Holdings group companies.
Impact
Realizes rapid product delivery in urban areas.

2020: Announced Start of Pharmaceuticals & Medical Equipment Sales

Overview
Expanded medical-related business leveraging logistics and mail-order networks.
Impact
Revenue diversification through new market development.

2023: Announced '2030 CO2 Zero Challenge'

Overview
Joined international initiatives RE100 & EV100 to advance environmental reduction plans.
Impact
Strengthened sustainability and improved social evaluation.

Sustainability

  • Joined RE100 to aim for 100% renewable energy for electricity
  • Joined EV100 to transition all company vehicles to electric vehicles
  • Introduced energy-saving technologies in logistics centers to reduce environmental impact
  • Contributes to circular economy by improving waste recycling rate
  • Stricter green procurement guidelines for sustainable sourcing
  • Promoting paperless operations to reduce office environmental impact
  • Improved product packaging to reduce plastics
  • Implemented employee environmental awareness programs
  • Actively promoting environmental protection activities in collaboration with local communities
  • Strengthened environmental risk assessment and response in supply chain
  • Optimized inventory management and sales strategies to reduce food loss
  • Optimized sustainable delivery routes to reduce CO2