MS&Consulting

Basic Information

Stock Code
6555
Industry
Services
Category Detail
Professional Services for Businesses
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
March 2013
Listing Year
October 2017
Official Website
https://www.msandc.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
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Bulk Holdings, Sokets, Cross Marketing Group, GMO Research & AI, SCAT, Macromill, Global Information, Neo Marketing, Asmark, INTAGE Holdings, Koreck HD

Overview

MS&Consulting is a leading mystery shopping research company established in 2013, providing advanced research and consulting services to the retail industry.

Current Situation

MS&Consulting recorded net sales of approximately 1.3 billion yen in the fiscal year ending February 2021, but posted operating and ordinary losses. Its core business is mystery shopping research, which contributes to improving customer satisfaction primarily for retail businesses, and it is strengthening its competitiveness in the industry. Overseas, it operates subsidiaries in Thailand and Taiwan, advancing into the Asian market. In 2017, it transitioned from the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market to the First Section, aiming to enhance corporate value. In terms of technological innovation, it is promoting the use of digital technology to improve research accuracy and business efficiency. From the perspective of sustainable management, it is focusing on strengthening corporate governance. Moving forward, it aims to stabilize its revenue base by making BtoB consulting enhancement and overseas expansion the pillars of its strategy. Although there is intensifying competition in the market and impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, it views the increasing demand for data-driven management support as an opportunity.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Company establishment originated from a 2008 company split to enhance independence
  • Rapid growth company that transitioned to TSE First Section shortly after founding
  • Pioneering presence in the mystery shopping research industry
  • Early focus on Asian expansion with subsidiaries in Thailand and Taiwan
  • Founder Namiki is a prominent industry executive
  • One of the few publicly listed companies in Japan specialized in mystery shopping
  • Business alliances with major players like Gurunavi and Optical Communications
  • High expertise demonstrated with 125 employees
  • Strengthened capital base with investment fund backing
  • Audit conducted by Taiyo Limited Liability Audit Corporation

Hidden Connections

  • Optical Communications Co., Ltd. holds significant influence as a major shareholder
  • Business alliance with Gurunavi to strengthen services for restaurant stores
  • Capital strategy in collaboration with investment funds and Tokio Marine Capital
  • Hybrid business model combining local focus and international expansion
  • Independent growth company from company split from Japan LCA
  • Gained trust from major clients as a TSE First Section company
  • Strength in accumulated expertise and know-how of mystery shopping specialists
  • Successful formation of local networks through Asian advancement

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing demand for surveys due to growing needs for customer experience improvement
  • Promotion of digital transformation in retail industry
  • Further strengthening of expansion into Asian markets
  • Expansion of AI and data analysis technology utilization
  • Service quality improvement through employee satisfaction enhancement
  • Development of new service areas
  • Advanced online survey technology
  • Governance strengthening accompanying sustainable management
  • Expansion of multifaceted consulting services
  • Expanding needs for corporate business efficiency

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve net sales of 3 billion yen domestically and internationally
  • Expand Asian market share and strengthen local subsidiaries
  • Revolutionize research services using AI
  • Maintain top-level employee engagement domestically
  • Build sustainable corporate structure centered on ESG management
  • Achieve 50% female active participation rate through diversity promotion
  • Expand market areas through new services
  • Establish long-term data protection and security infrastructure
  • Secure leadership position in survey technology industry
  • Expand social responsibility activities in collaboration with local communities

Business Segments

Retail Industry Survey Services

Overview
Surveys and consulting to support customer experience improvement and business efficiency primarily for the retail industry.
Competitiveness
Proposal capabilities based on high research accuracy and industry expertise
Customers
  • 百貨店
  • スーパーマーケット
  • 専門店
  • ドラッグストア
  • コンビニエンスストア
  • 通販企業
  • EC運営企業
Products
  • ミステリーショッピングリサーチ
  • 顧客満足度調査
  • 業務改善支援
  • デジタルチャネル評価
  • 従業員満足度調査

Overseas Business Expansion Support

Overview
Supports overseas expansion primarily in Asia, providing research and strategy formulation tailored to local conditions.
Competitiveness
Rapid response through collaboration with local subsidiaries
Customers
  • 日系企業の現地法人
  • アジア地域の小売業
  • マーケットリサーチ企業
Products
  • 海外市場調査
  • 現地ミステリーショッピング
  • 事業戦略コンサルティング

Customer Experience Digital Analysis

Overview
Specializes in digital channel customer behavior analysis and UX improvement proposals.
Competitiveness
Precise data analysis utilizing the latest technology
Customers
  • ECサイト運営企業
  • モバイルアプリ事業者
  • ITサービスプロバイダー
Products
  • WebサイトUX評価
  • デジタル顧客分析
  • AI活用レポート

Employee Engagement Support

Overview
Promotes organizational improvement and mindset change from the employee perspective.
Competitiveness
Proprietary survey methods and know-how
Customers
  • 小売企業の人事部門
  • サービス業の管理者
  • 経営企画部
Products
  • 従業員満足度調査
  • 働きがい向上施策
  • 組織改善コンサルティング

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • High research accuracy and practical know-how
  • Abundant track record in retail industry
  • International competitiveness through overseas expansion
  • Strong customer base
  • Active introduction of digital technology
  • Specialized consulting capabilities
  • Rapid response via local subsidiaries
  • Comprehensive employee training programs
  • Proprietary survey methods
  • Solid financial foundation

Competitive Advantages

  • Established position in the mystery shopping research market
  • High expertise specialized in retail industry
  • Asian expansion capabilities through subsidiaries in Thailand and Taiwan
  • Integrated provision of consulting and research
  • Advanced digital channel evaluation technology
  • Stable capital structure supported by investment funds
  • Reliability from listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section
  • Support extending to client business improvements
  • Flexible response to diverse industry needs
  • Establishment of sustainable governance system

Threats

  • Market pressure from competitors' technological innovations
  • Intensifying price competition from new entrants
  • Market demand fluctuations due to COVID-19
  • Increasing information security risks
  • Regulatory risks associated with overseas expansion
  • Customer investment reductions due to deteriorating economic conditions
  • Delays in responding to rapid changes in digital technology
  • Service maturation due to diversifying market needs
  • Difficulties in talent acquisition
  • Strengthened legal regulations on data privacy

Innovations

2023: Advanced Digital Channel Evaluation Technology

Overview
Developed an online customer behavior analysis tool using AI and machine learning.
Impact
Contributes to improved accuracy of customer satisfaction surveys and new market development.

2022: Strengthened Overseas Subsidiary Expansion

Overview
Expanded services and strengthened sales base for subsidiaries in Thailand and Taiwan.
Impact
Increased number of Asian customers and sales by 20%.

2021: Introduction of Business Efficiency System

Overview
Renewed internal operations and data management systems to achieve efficiency improvements.
Impact
Succeeded in cost reductions and shortened survey turnaround times.

2020: Expansion of Online Survey Services

Overview
Expanded online customer survey areas in response to the pandemic.
Impact
Responded promptly to surge in remote demand and maintained sales.

Sustainability

  • Strengthened governance through improved management transparency
  • Promotion of employee health and work-life balance
  • Office operations mindful of reducing environmental impact
  • Organizational revitalization through diversity promotion
  • Strengthened contributions to local communities through CSR activities
  • Establishment of information security management system
  • Implementation of internal education on sustainability
  • Formulation of long-term environmental management policy
  • Promotion of paperless operations through ICT utilization
  • Research and development of sustainable survey methods