All began with bread. Franco Costa, co-founder of Costa Group with his brother Sandro,was beginning to glimpse an idea: food is an emotion-driven product. Consumers buy food with their senses, especially those of taste and smell, both deeply rooted in memories and capable of eliciting strong emotional responses.To date, the Costa Group has designed more than 5000 shops worldwide and implements 18 to 20 projects per month. The offices encompass 11,000 sq. meters and the company operates several plants specializing in the manufacture of wood, steel, marble, glass and fiberglass fixtures and fittings. The combined forces of people and facilities allow Costa Group complete internal control over all projects from the beginning of the design process through fabrication and installation. There is even space and materials available to build proto-types of shops within the factory walls, eliminating all guess work in the designing and fitting process. “Our mission is to mold each element of the design to its purpose, that’s why we build prototypes, they are like sculptures, giving not just a shape, but also heart to the ambience of the completed project,” says Costa.Specialties: Shop fitting, furniture, interior design, concept design, food format, food sector, ho.re.ca sector