Giuseppe Gallo, the mastermind behind Italicus, embarked on a journey to revive forgotten liqueurs and aperitivos from his Italian heritage. While serving spritzes in London, he realized the untapped potential of exploring a wide variety of flavors beyond the typical Aperol and Campari. Inspired by his grandmother’s bergamot-based recipe, Gallo sourced ingredients from Calabria and Sicily to create Italicus in 2016, paying homage to his roots with a modern twist.
Gallo’s approach to the spirits industry is anything but conventional. With a vision to innovate and push boundaries, he aims to offer unique flavor profiles that honor tradition while appealing to modern consumers. His commitment to using organic and natural ingredients sets Italicus apart from its competitors, ensuring a product that is as authentic as it is innovative.
Gallo’s strategic approach to market expansion involves securing key cities like New York, London, and Milan before moving on to new territories. By fortifying sales in select markets, he paves the way for gradual growth and establishes a strong foothold in the industry. With Italicus available in 40 countries worldwide, Gallo’s aperitivo empire continues to thrive and evolve.
While venturing into uncharted territory with unique liqueurs comes with its challenges, Gallo’s boldness has paid off. Italicus, priced between $30 and $45 per bottle, commands a premium in the market, allowing for healthy margins despite rising costs in shipping and packaging. With a net margin estimated at 40%, Gallo’s business surpasses many other food and beverage brands in profitability.
Strategic Partnerships and Future Growth
In a strategic move to accelerate expansion, Gallo partnered with Pernod Ricard, a key player in the spirits industry, in 2020. This collaboration enabled Italicus to reach new markets and tap into the distribution network of a global powerhouse. As Italicus continues to show double-digit growth in the U.S. and beyond, Gallo remains focused on further expansion, with plans to introduce new liqueurs under the ItalSpirits umbrella.
Giuseppe Gallo’s pioneering spirit and dedication to reinventing Italian drinking culture have established him as a trailblazer in the industry. With products like Italicus and Savoia pushing the boundaries of traditional liqueurs, Gallo continues to shape the future of aperitivo culture worldwide. By staying true to his roots while embracing innovation, he sets a new standard for what it means to elevate classic spirits into modern-day indulgences.
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