Gaetano Puglisi, the myth of Wegmans inspiring Esselunga and Dominick’s superstores

[vc_column_textAbove: left to right: Mr Ruggero Giampieri (sales), Giuseppe Caprotti and Gaetano Puglisi, in 1996, at Wegmans.

This article is dedicated to the memory of Mr Giampieri who left us recently at the age of 75.

Written in 2008, updated on 27 November 2024

One of the many fairy tales found on the web has it that we were inspired by the New York State chain (base. Rochester) to develop Esselunga superstores: this is not the case.

Our superstores were influenced by my experience working at Dominick’s in Chicago.

The first lay-outs (merchandise arrangements) were even, for the first openings, set by my general merchandise (miscellaneous goods, non-food) office manager in Chicago, Ray Stone.

There were then some inspirations from the famous King Soopers chain.

For more : Three small innovations imported from Dominick’s in Chicago.

Gaetano Puglisi direttore commerciale di Esselunga

I met Gaetano Puglisi when he was an executive at Procter and Gamble and negotiated annual contracts with us.

He was with Esselunga from 1995 to 2004 as head of purchasing, purchasing director and then as commercial director.

Today he is retired after having been General Manager of Euronics.

At Esselunga, among the best projects we completed together, I remember with great pleasure Esselunga Bio.

Below is the transcript of his note from 2008:

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to spend a period of great professional and personal satisfaction with you. I wish you all the best and know that, for me, you will always remain a great example of a great entrepreneur and a true man,

Merry Christmas

Gaetano Puglisi