What is "esselunga"

Esselunga S.p.A. is an Italian retail store chain. Founded in 1957 by brothers Bernardo, Guido and Claudio of the Caprotti family with Nelson Rockefeller, the company is now entirely owned by the Caprotti family through Supermarkets Italiani S.p.A.

It was the first supermarket chain in Italy and was the first to introduce on-line shopping and self-produced organic products.

With 20,000 employees, the company had a € 6.8 billion turnover in 2012. Esselunga controls about 9% of the Italian grocery distribution market. It is ranked as the fourth most profitable company in the European retail sector (in proportion to its size) and it is Italy's 23rd largest company. Until 1999, Esselunga owned 50% of the Italian branch of Penny Market (a REWE group company).

Esselunga is entirely owned by the family and is not listed on the stock market.