Mario Moretti Polegato He did not only sell shoes, he built an empire with an idea as simple as he is brilliant: to breathe his feet. Starting from nowhere, he transformed an intuition into a 1.8 billion dollar business. Today he is among the most influential entrepreneurs in Italy, placing himself in 17th place among the wealthiest in the country, according to Forbes. A visionary with the nose of the business and the audacity of those who know that to climb the market it is necessary to innovate, without waiting for anyone’s permission.
Mario Moretti Polegato, the beginnings in the wine sector
Raised between rows and wine barrels, Mario Moretti Polegato seemed destined to follow in the footsteps of his family, with a future written in the wine world. Study oenologyimmerses himself in the art of wine, but the call of innovation pushes him elsewhere. He is not satisfied with perpetuating a tradition, he wants to write his own one, and he makes it overturning the footwear sector with a gimmick that changes the rules of the game.
A revolutionary idea that changes the market
In the early 90s, during a trip, Moretti polendato has a flash of genius: transforming a daily discomfort into a millionaire idea. THE feet that sweat They become the pretext for experiencing an innovative technology, but when he introduces himself to large companies in the sector, they burn him the door in his face. He does not lose heart and launches his brand. With only 5 employees And a membrane inspired by NASA builds a giant.
International expansion and recognition
With a handful of collaborators and a good dose of entrepreneurial unconsciousness, Moretti Polegato transforms his idea into a global giant. In the 2004 his creature, Geox, lands on the bag with one capitalization of over 1 billion eurosmaking everyone understand that it is not an improvised adventure. The ability to innovate and intercept the needs of the market brings him a rain of awards, from institutional honors to the prizes of the most important sector associations.
Growth through strategic acquisitions
Moretti Polegato is not satisfied with making the foot of the world breathe, he also wants to fit him for the race. In 2009, his family holding has his hands on an icon of sport, Diadorabringing it under your control e entrusting her to the child. Not a billionaire whim, but a strategic move to annoy the global giants of technical clothing. The challenge is open: to compete with the giants in the sector, by skiing them, it is appropriate to say it, with innovation and technology strokes.
A solid group with record results
In the 2016 The family financial financial breaks through the billion euros of turnoverwith a net profit of 10.2 million. Today Geox is present in over 100 countries with more than 1,100 single -brand stores and in 2023 he closed with 770 million euros in revenues. Solid numbers, but with growth margins to explore. The company maintains a stable position, with space to accelerate in an increasingly competitive market.
Artificial intelligence to innovate and conquer the market
In 2024, Geox pushed on the accelerator of artificial intelligence To make more efficient production, management and communication. The company aims to be faster in responding to markets and consolidating its community of faithful customers, now at 5 million. The repositioning in the Premium segment begins to bear fruit: the women’s collection, with the actress Penelope Cruz as a global face, scored a increase of 30% In 2023, lowering the average age of customers between 35 and 45 years.
The numbers of 2023 tell a reality with chiaroscuro dynamics. The preliminary revenues are at 720 million euros, slightly flexing by 2.2% in current changes compared to 2022, but with a shy growth of 0.3% with constant changes. Italy, which covers 27.9% of sales, recorded an increase of 3.1%, touching 200.8 million euros. Instead, a sign less for Europe, where Germany weighs on the overall performance, and for North America, which fell to 27.2 million euros, with a drop of 10.1%.
An active role in the economic and institutional panorama
Moretti Polegato does not limit himself to directing an empire of footwear, but also plays on multiple tables. Since 1997 it has been an important European country as an honorary console for the North East of Italy, adding a diplomatic touch to its curriculum.
His group gives work to Over 4,000 people And it continues to invest in research and development, aware that in the market those who stop innovating are quickly archived. With 61 technologies patented in the drawer and only six already in use, Geox still has a lot to say and monetize.
