Giuseppe Caprotti – biography

Born to Giorgina Venosta and Bernardo Caprotti, he was born in Milan on December 15, 1960. He graduated in Contemporary History from the Sorbonne in Paris; his research on the political, economic, and historical situation in South Tyrol was published by Franco Angeli.

After various experiences abroad—including a highly formative stint in Chicago with the retail chain “Dominick’s”—he joined Esselunga Spa, where he held several managerial roles: Manager and Director of Non-food Procurement, Director of the Marketing and Communications Office, Commercial Director with direct oversight of Procurement and Marketing, Chief Operating Officer, and ultimately Chief Executive Officer.

Each of these roles was marked by a strong drive for research and the modernization of the company. His tenure saw, among other achievements, a new approach to in-store sales, the introduction of organic and non-food products (a first in Italian supermarkets), customer loyalty initiatives through the “Fìdaty” card, the creation of an e-commerce platform with a home delivery service, and a relentless commitment to maintaining the high quality of the products sold—a quality communicated through advertising campaigns that made a significant mark on the industry, not just in Italy.

These remarkable results were achieved through teamwork and a shift “from I to We,” wherein managers or employers viewed employees not merely as subordinates but as valuable and indispensable parts of a broader project. The first social report of Esselunga, published in 2003, stands as a testament to this philosophy.

Giuseppe Caprotti recounted his entire life and career in his book “Le ossa dei Caprotti, Una storia italiana,” published by Feltrinelli in 2023. The book has enjoyed considerable success: 25,000 copies sold (the latest figure available to me), two reprints, and it ranked as one of the best-selling books in Milan in February 2024, maintaining a prominent position in its genre over time.

After 19 years at Esselunga, Giuseppe Caprotti dedicated himself to consultancy, collaborating with several companies, including Bain & Company, Messaggerie Italiane S.p.A., Aspiag, and others.

He has served as President of the Fondazione Guido Venosta since 2020.