Roberto Rossetto: The Legacy of a Veronese Retail Pioneer
Roberto Rossetto, the Veronese entrepreneur who co-founded the renowned supermarket chain bearing his family name, has passed away at the age of 80. His death marks the end of an era for a family business that has been a cornerstone of Italian retail for over six decades. Rossetto, along with his brothers Giuseppe, Luciano, Germano, and Lorenzo, built an empire from a small shop, transforming it into a major player in the large-scale distribution sector.
In 1973, the company launched its first supermarket, a milestone that set the stage for decades of growth. The 1990s saw the birth of the ‘Ipermercati’ (hypermarkets), a move that solidified the group’s presence in the Italian market. Reflecting on their journey, Rossetto once remarked, “We started with a small workshop: we were all young and, with a lot of goodwill, we managed to build something important.” This sentiment was echoed during the ceremony where he was named Entrepreneur of the Year, a testament to his visionary leadership and the collective effort of the family.
The Rossetto Group’s influence extended beyond Verona, particularly into the Mantua area, where it operates several stores and a significant logistics hub in Valdaro. This expansion underscored the company’s commitment to regional development and its ability to adapt to changing market dynamics. Roberto’s brother Giuseppe, who served as the historical guide, passed away in 2018, but the family’s entrepreneurial spirit continues under the leadership of Lorenzo, who started as a warehouse worker and now serves as CEO.
Roberto Rossetto’s legacy is not just in the stores that bear his name, but in the values of hard work, family unity, and innovation that he championed. His passing is a loss to the business community, but his impact on Italian retail will be remembered for generations to come.
Shimanta Das 
