Nelson Rockefeller: a passion for art and ethnography, and a tragedy
Nelson Rockefeller's love for art originated with his mother Abby, a passionate collector. She shared with her son Michael an interest in primitive art, which led the latter to expeditions to New Guinea. In 1961 Michael disappeared during one of them, possibly the victim of a cannibal tribe.
Nelson Rockefeller: IBEC, a company with a (double) mission
In 1947, Nelson Rockefeller founded IBEC to improve the economies of less developed countries, starting in Latin America with the introduction of supermarkets. Success prompted him to export the model to Europe, starting in Italy. With local partners, including the Caprotti brothers, he opened the first supermarket, future Esselunga, in Milan in 1957.
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller (1908-1979) – biography
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller had a significant impact on American society and international relations in the 20th century. Thanks to IBEC, a company he founded, the supermarket also came to Italy. The future Esselunga - opened in Milan in 1957.
Lidl to conquer Milan
In Italy, discounters, now perceived as supermarkets, are more agile tools than superstores and respond better to the needs of customers who want “more service, shorter distances and a more concentrated offer”
Caprotti and the Coop: Turiddo Campaini, an ‘enemy’ and a master
'The experience in Florence is a great school for me also because the opponent we faced was, at the time, one of the most efficient and competitive: the Unicoop administered and managed by Turiddo Campaini. An aggressive Coop with a strong local policy, efficient and market-oriented. Tuscan products are the norm but there is no shortage of Chinese ones, for the large community distributed between Prato and Campi Bisenzio
US: inflation-weary consumers stock up on discount stores
As in France and Italy, inflation due to Covid – 19 in the US has left deep traces that have favoured the development of discount formulas, albeit with very different approaches and sales methods. US consumers are also experiencing the political uncertainty sown by the tariffs wanted by Donald Trump. Box stores (wholesale discounters) are depopulating in the US, driven by concerns about the high cost of living. Chris Nichols , CEO of Sam’s Club (Walmart’s box store chain) predicts ‘difficult times’ for the US economy
Marco Brunelli, Caprotti’s friend – enemy
The entrepreneur who was to become one of the protagonists of large-scale distribution in Italy was born as an antiquarian, and one of the most highly regarded in Milan. His was the organisation of a memorable exhibition at the Villa Reale, in 1955, dedicated to the 'Venetian 18th century'; among the lenders of the works were the most beautiful names in the city and beyond, including my grandmother Marianne [Maire in Caprotti]. And among the most important art collectors of the period who were also Brunelli's clients was James Hugh Angleton, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy.
The Senatore Cappelli pasta from Bonifiche Ferraresi
The position statements of Bonifiche Ferraresi and Coldiretti
Food: the deterioration in quality is confirmed
From rampant shrinkinflation to junk food from Nestlé and McDonald’s, to PFAS, to the ubiquitous inflation-fuelled discountability. Some diseases are worrying
Nestlé’s water activities under indictment: the scandal no one in Italy wants to talk about
In France, Perrier mineral water risks being downgraded to potable, the problem of PFAS in water, even tap water
The entrepreneur: Aldo Bassetti, beer and ‘family’ water
After the First World War, the Bassettis thus acquired two of the oldest Italian breweries, Spluga in Chiavenna and Birrificio Angelo Poretti in Induno Olona. Thanks mainly to the latter, Aldo Bassetti took his beer to southern Italy and imported and distributed the great Danish brands Tuborg and Carlsberg. In addition to beer, Bassetti invested in mineral water, for example producing Frisia mineral water in the Spluga plant, which in the 1980s became the first to be marketed in Milan.
