OUR HERITAGE
Restsso derives from the two family names of the late John Risso, founder of the company. John’s families had being trading in Gibraltar for hundreds of years under the names of “Risso” and “Restano”. Their main focus being:
Bakery
Chandlery
Butchery
Tea room & restaurant
In 1962, John decided to start a distribution business in Gibraltar. Not being able to find the right name for the company he decided to combine both surnames (the first four letters of Restano and the last three letters of Risso) to form Restsso. When the company was formed on the 5th November 1962, little did he know that we would become one of the biggest distributors in Gibraltar.
When Restsso started trading it begun as a distributor, importing on it’s own account and selling from the stock it had imported. This was the time when all the trade was handled by commission agents, selling to wholesalers, and the wholesalers then sold to the retail trade.
Marie Risso joined her brother John in the business having undergone a secretarial course in the old commercial department knowing she would be part of it. That was 47 years ago. Back then their sister Maria Isabel was also part of the set up. Over the years this business family grew steadily with more and more workers all being made welcome and always being part of the Restsso family.
During the 50 years it has been in business, Restsso have acquired a very varied range of principals, either by direct contact or via acquisitions.
In October 2002 the second Risso generation joined the business, this being John Paul Risso.
Today Restsso is one of the leading importers and distributors of FMCG into Gibraltar. It has grown and expanded dramatically and now includes a number of different companies from retail catering through to laundry.