Albis

Basic Information

Stock Code
7475
Industry
Retail
Category Detail
General Merchandise & Food Retailers
Prefecture
Toyama Prefecture
Establishment Year
December 1968
Listing Year
November 1995
Official Website
https://www.albis.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Halows, Daikokuten Bussan, United Super Markets Holdings, Maruo Cal, Ekos, Retail PA, Life Corporation, Max Valu Tokai, Axial Retailing, Yaoko, Arks, Baro Holdings, Berg

Overview

Albis is a major food supermarket and food wholesaler based in the Hokuriku region, founded in 1968, steadily expanding its business centered on regional closeness and dominant area strategies.

Current Situation

Albis recorded consolidated sales of approximately ¥98 billion and operating profit of ¥21.4 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2024, maintaining a solid earnings base. Centered on the three Hokuriku prefectures, it has shifted its focus to retail operations by enhancing fresh foods and increasing directly operated stores. It is strengthening expansion into the Tokai region, expanding stores in Gifu and Aichi prefectures. It has built a distribution network along the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway to improve delivery efficiency. It is actively introducing new formats and services, such as online supermarkets and starting sales of Muji products. In sustainability, it collaborates with local communities through disaster agreements and health-focused initiatives. In the future, it aims for sustainable growth through small commercial district stores and expanded deployment in the Tokai region.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Albis is a Hokuriku food supermarket with sales of about ¥98 billion.
  • Company name derived from initials of 'always lively brightly identity supermarket'.
  • Past store names included Tulip and High Tomato.
  • Deploys stores in 3 Hokuriku prefectures + 2 Tokai prefectures as regional focus type.
  • Albis Kanazawa Meirindoori store features Japan's first roadside Muji store.
  • Online supermarket is store pickup type tailored to regional characteristics.
  • Consolidated subsidiary Alde Japan handles tofu manufacturing.
  • Major shareholders include Mitsubishi Corporation and Hokuriku Bank.
  • Shifted management to retail after withdrawing from Baro and Osaka Ya Shop.
  • Member of CGC Japan Supermarket Association and All Japan Supermarket Association.
  • As of 2024, operates about 57 directly managed stores.
  • Built efficient logistics network utilizing Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway.
  • Functions also as voluntary chain wholesaler with regional closeness.
  • Actively incorporates regional ingredients to promote local production for local consumption.
  • Acquisition of Bazaar Foods was the trigger for shift from wholesaling to retailing.

Hidden Connections

  • Mitsubishi Corporation as major shareholder exerts strong influence in distribution industry.
  • Benefits from cost reductions via joint procurement as CGC Group member.
  • Partnership with Shijishia Japan strengthens customer services like points cards.
  • Subsidiary Alde Japan handles health-oriented prepared foods manufacturing.
  • Max Valu Tokai, positioned as main competitor in Tokai, is both rival and similar business.
  • Brand unification through store name changes to improve customer recognition.
  • Partnership with Muji contributes to differentiation in Hokuriku region.
  • Regional contribution activities during disasters also strengthen management system.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Market expansion through aggressive store deployment in Tokai region
  • Expansion of online supermarkets and store pickup services
  • Enhancement of health-oriented products and response to regional needs
  • Deployment of new format small district stores albisKULASU
  • Cost reductions and service improvements via logistics efficiency
  • Growing focus on local production for local consumption in provinces
  • Provision of products and services for aging society
  • Strengthened collaboration with other brands like Muji
  • Business efficiency and customer experience improvement via digitalization
  • Advancement of sustainable environmental management measures

Strategic Goals

  • Sales expansion by multiplying store count in Tokai region
  • Raise online sales ratio to over 20% of total sales
  • Improve customer satisfaction through regional closeness services
  • Achieve sustainable logistics and reduced environmental impact
  • Acquire diverse customer segments via new format stores
  • Enhance health and welfare support services
  • Significantly increase local production product ratio
  • Enhance brand recognition through digital marketing
  • Promote innovation utilizing diverse talent
  • Further strengthen CSR activities in collaboration with local community

Business Segments

Food Wholesaling

Overview
Integrates product supply and sales support in regional food wholesaling.
Competitiveness
Dense sales coverage and strong product supply based in Hokuriku
Customers
  • Small-scale supermarkets
  • Restaurant industry stores
  • School lunch centers
  • Prepared food manufacturers
  • Food manufacturers
  • Agricultural cooperatives
  • Liquor retailers
Products
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Fresh fish
  • Meat
  • Prepared foods
  • Dairy products
  • Frozen foods
  • Groceries
  • Non-food items
  • Alcoholic beverages

Manufacturing and Processing Support

Overview
Achieves stable supply of processed foods utilizing manufacturing subsidiaries.
Competitiveness
Thorough quality control through subsidiary collaboration
Customers
  • Subsidiary manufacturing plants
  • Prepared food manufacturers
  • Tofu manufacturers
  • Food processors
Products
  • Prepared foods manufacturing
  • Tofu products manufacturing
  • Meat processing
  • Prepared foods development

Sales Consulting

Overview
Comprehensive sales support and consulting for wholesaling clients
Competitiveness
Information sharing and support system unique to regional closeness
Customers
  • Affiliated supermarkets
  • New retail stores
  • Franchise candidates
Products
  • Sales strategy support
  • Product procurement advice
  • Promotion planning
  • Store operation guidance

Logistics Services

Overview
Efficient logistics system utilizing Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway.
Competitiveness
Wide-area logistics network strong in the region
Customers
  • Own retail stores
  • Wholesaling clients
  • Food manufacturers
Products
  • Food delivery
  • Inventory management
  • Logistics optimization support

Online Supermarket Business

Overview
Accelerating rollout of store pickup-type online supermarkets.
Competitiveness
Services linked with existing store network
Customers
  • General consumers
  • Child-rearing generation
  • Elderly demographic
Products
  • Online ordering
  • In-store pickup service
  • Health food recommendations

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Regional closeness management based in Hokuriku
  • Store network reinforcement through dominant strategy
  • Dual pillars of wholesaling and retailing
  • Diverse product lineup
  • Promotion of online supermarkets and new formats
  • Solid financial position
  • Expansion strategy into Tokai region

Competitive Advantages

  • High product development capability tailored to regional characteristics
  • Improved cost competitiveness through logistics efficiency
  • Manufacturing and processing system linked with subsidiaries
  • Response to trends like health focus and Muji partnership
  • Strong ties with local communities
  • Sales expansion system via diverse channels
  • Wide-area expansion leveraging Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway

Threats

  • Intensifying competition with major national chains
  • Market shrinkage due to population decline and aging
  • Risk of client loss from franchise withdrawals
  • Rising logistics and labor costs
  • Delays in responding to changing consumer preferences
  • Impacts from natural disasters or pandemics
  • Intensifying competition from online retail

Innovations

2024: Opening of first 'albisKULASU' small district strategy store

Overview
Opened a regionally focused small district new format store in Kanazawa Izumioka.
Impact
Contributes to improved convenience for elderly and strengthened regional closeness.

2023: Started selling Muji products

Overview
Began handling Muji products at 4 Hokuriku stores, the second supermarket in Japan to do so.
Impact
Contributes to product diversification and customer base expansion.

2022: Launched store pickup-type online supermarket

Overview
Introduced pickup-type online supermarket at Marunouchi store in Takaoka City to start service rollout.
Impact
Contributes to convenience for dual-income and child-rearing households.

2020: Signed comprehensive agreement with Toyama Prefecture

Overview
Strengthened regional collaboration including disaster support and child-rearing discounts.
Impact
Deepens trust with local community and enhances brand value.

2021: Aggressively strengthening store openings in Tokai region

Overview
Opening stores in Aichi and Gifu prefectures to target market expansion.
Impact
New market development and diversification of sales base.

Sustainability

  • Signed agreements with local governments including disaster support
  • Strengthened regional contributions via points cards
  • Expanded eco-friendly products and plastic reduction
  • Enhanced health-focused products and services
  • Promoted use of local ingredients
  • Advanced energy-saving stores
  • Participation in regional child-rearing support activities
  • Local production for local consumption initiatives
  • Food loss reduction measures
  • Strengthened integration of online sales and store pickup
  • Issuance of CSR reports
  • Creation of regional employment