This week the Family Business Office, for its fifth edition of Focus On World Business Leaders, brings you Juan Roig , executive chairman, and the second-generation heir, of Spanish supermarkets chain Mercadona.

Juan Roig was born on 8 October 1949 in Valencia. He studied in a Jesuit school in Valencia, then at a boarding school, and graduated in economics at Valencia, but was not an outstanding student. Eight years after graduating, he read for a postgraduate degree at IESE Business School, University of Navarra.

His parents ran a chain of eight butcher shops (Cárnicas Roig) in La Pobla de Farnals, later converted to grocery stores.

Forbes magazine in October 2013 reported that Roig was worth 5,800 million euros, the second largest fortune in Spain. This in fact is the estimated value of the 78% stake in Mercadona jointly owned by himself and his wife. But since Mercadona shares are not publicly quoted, the figure is somewhat speculative. As of July 2018, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$4.3 billion.^] The shareholding yielded dividend income totalling over $400 million between 2006 and 2013 for Roig and his wife jointly.

Juan was in the list of Top 300 Billionaires in the world in 2016, at rank 240. Juan Roig is the richest grocer in Spain and Francisco Roig Balllesteris the father of Juan Roig. Fransisco was born in the year 1912 in Pueblo Nuevo, Valencia. He was an orphan and his uncle Vicente took care of his education. After gaining his education in the agricultural sector, he founded the company ‘Cárnicas Roig’ and turned it into a great company. He was a businessman and he was the founder of the company ‘Mercadona’. After a prolonged illness, Fransisco died in Puzol on 14th March, 2003.

Juan Roig went to a Jesuit School in Valencia. He attended the University of Valencia and graduated in Economics and later attended IESE Business School, Barcelona where he met his wife.

Along with his brother Fernando and wife Hortensia, he bought Mercadona from his father in 1981 when it was an eight-store operation. They had opened their 1,000th store by 2006 and currently they have the 1,574 locations of Mercadona spread across Spain.

In 1991 he converted Mercadona into a supermarket chain. His hard work and tactics have made the group gain large success all over the country. Referred to as a ‘tough businessman’, his company’s strategies, innovations and distribution facilities are one of a kind and a major brand name in Spain.

Juan Roig’s net worth is estimated at $5.1 Billion according to Forbes magazine. His company draws revenue of approximately $22 billion annually, owning 14% of food retail space in Spain.

The Family Business Office will, on a frequent basis be offering insights into World Family Business Leaders through our Focus On features. Follow us on our Facebook page and Family Business Office website at www.familybusiness.org.mt

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