Meet the Buyer at Autogrill: Interview with Stefano Campolongo
Autogrill S.p.A. operates in the Food & Beverage and Travel Retail segments at major travel facilities (from airports to motorway and railway stations), serving a local and international clientele. All of its direct operations take place in the domestic market. Its offerings strongly reflect the local setting, with the use of mostly proprietary brands, as well as a more global reach through the use of well-known international brands under license.
What customer shifts have you noticed in the last 2 years? Any changes in customer behaviour that you feel are here to stay?
Attention on value for money. Despite the economic crisis, customers are willing to spend if the product is worth it.
Which key trends are impacting your business in 2023?
Sustainability, back to basic flavours, Flexitarianism.
Which hero product have you launched recently? Tell us more!
Club sandwiches on-the-go range, scrambled egg croissant.
What are you currently looking for in terms of new products and innovation?
Quality and ease of preparation (quite obvious, but we believe that the industry should do the “hard” job). In-store, the qualifications/attention of the staff is poor, so we need to anticipate issues.
What advice would you give suppliers meeting you during their 1-to-1 25-min meeting?
Get straight to the point, and be informed about our business, in order to be extremely focused.
In which product categories have you witnessed a substantial spike in demand?
Savoury breakfast products.
How important is sustainability for your business?
Very important.
How important is health and wellness within your client base?
Important but not compulsory.
Stefano Campolongo: Behind the Scenes
What’s your personal mantra?
Yesterday is not today.
What’s your favourite book of all time?
Difficult to say, but in the last few years: Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation by Michael Pollan
Where do you find inspiration?
In a glass of wine… In the sense that I find inspiration when I am surrounded by people, looking at them and interacting with them.
Your favourite place for coffee?
Despite being Italian, I would definitely say London!
What would your last meal be?
Anything with a bottle of Chateau Petrus
Learn more about Stefano Campolongo and Autogrill at ECS 2023, APPLY TO ATTEND NOW
