On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the CréO Group held a grand opening ceremony for its eleventh Caraïbe Price supermarket, located in the Saint-Joseph shopping district. With an investment of six million euros, twenty-five new jobs created, 880 m² of retail space, and nearly 6,000 product SKUs, the Martinique-based chain—founded eight years ago—is reaffirming more than ever its commitment to serving as a community-focused retailer deeply rooted in the region. Attended by the mayor of Saint-Joseph, the vice president of CACEM, suppliers, partners, and the newly hired staff, the evening served as an opportunity to highlight just how vital local retail is for Martinique.
Patrick Fabre: « »Closeness is our proud bwa."
It was with palpable emotion that Patrick Fabre, president and founder of the CréO Group, addressed a large audience. After thanking elected officials, partners, and suppliers, he recalled the project’s eventful history: more than nine years in the making, from the initial on-site discussions to the store’s actual opening.
«We explored several options, envisioned a synergy with the gas station, and had been hoping for a roundabout for many years… The work required was too extensive, so we chose a different path—one that was more realistic, but also very ambitious,»,
he said.
The group’s CEO spoke at length about his vision for local retail in Martinique, which is built on five pillars: the irreplaceable social role of neighborhood stores, convenience and time savings for consumers, reduced travel-related pollution, support for the local economy, and, finally, the fight against the decline of local retail. One statistic in particular caught his attention: hypermarkets account for 50 % of the market share in Martinique, compared to just 35 % in mainland France. «This imbalance weakens our region,» he emphasized.
«Proximity is our backbone. It’s a source of balance, a source of stability, and a factor that keeps our economy from tilting too far in one direction.»
Patrick Fabre, President of the CréO Group
Extending the metaphor of the “bwa dressé”—that long pole attached to the side of the gommier that helps keep the boat balanced—Patrick Fabre invited all Martinicans to act as “crew members of the community”: «Let’s all be couriers tonight and gather at the local gathering spot to support our neighborhood businesses together and give every community the pride it deserves.»
He also noted that the name CréO—«I believe, I create» in Spanish—refers to the first four letters of Creole, the native language that informs the group’s philosophy.
Stefano Bisogno: The Goal of Opening an Eleventh Store
Caraïbe Price’s sales director, Stefano Bisogno—«the most Italian of all Martinicans,» according to the evening’s hostess—outlined the project with the precision of a passionate retailer. The Saint-Joseph store offers 880 m² of retail space, a parking lot with approximately eighty spaces, a market area, a hot food counter with a rotisserie, and sections for fresh produce, frozen foods, groceries, and household products. This six-million-euro investment was designed with sustainability in mind: energy-efficient refrigeration equipment, LED lighting, and modern, sustainable infrastructure.
«Caraïbe Price is, above all, a business philosophy. A neighborhood supermarket isn’t just a place where you do your shopping. It’s a neighborhood store, a place that builds connections, and a store for everyday life.»
Stefano Bisogno, Sales Director, Caribbean Price
Stefano Bisogno emphasized the group’s strategy, which is built on three pillars: well-known national brands, private-label brands developed in partnership with the Intermarché group—which operates more than sixty factories in France—and a clear focus on local products and short supply chains. «We’re really starting to give the hypermarkets a run for their money,» he said with a twinkle in his eye, before proudly introducing the team of twenty-five employees, more than half of whom were recruited locally.
Claude Adèle: CACEM Hails a Catalyst for Attractiveness
Speaking on behalf of the CACEM president, Claude Adèle—vice president in charge of economic development and innovation, and also first deputy mayor of Saint-Joseph—expressed his pride at the project’s completion. He shared that he has a special connection to this project: «In a past life, I was the surveyor who laid out the earthwork for the first version.» An initial version was brought to a sudden halt by the COVID-19 pandemic and then the war in Ukraine, resulting in 30 to 40 % in additional costs.
«I remain convinced that this facility will contribute 60 % to the appeal of this area. Congratulations on the courage you’ve shown in seeing this project through.»
Claude Adèle, Vice President of CACEM
Claude Adèle assured the store owner of the full support of the Economic Attractiveness Committee and mentioned the ongoing effort to secure a second roundabout, which could bring even more customers to the area.
Yann Monplaisir, Mayor of Saint-Joseph: «The City in the Countryside»
Yann Monplaisir delivered a speech that combined a tribute to the entrepreneur with a vision for his town. Praising Patrick Fabre’s ethics—«to counter the stereotypes that portray business leaders as profiteers»—he reiterated the requirements he had set from the very beginning: respect for the environment, integration into the landscape, and the use of natural materials. The result speaks for itself: a wooden facade, solar panels, and a building that embodies the philosophy of «the city in the countryside» so dear to the mayor.
«We’re a town in the countryside. I care deeply about both of these aspects. I don’t want our town to lose its character. That’s why, as soon as I arrived, I opposed the use of concrete.»
The Mayor of Saint-Joseph
The mayor also highlighted an unusual initiative by the CréO group: supporting the opening of two neighborhood stores in Bois du Parc and Rivière-l’Or by advising the project leaders.
«It’s almost paradoxical,» he observed, “because you could say that a business owner’s role is to crush others. On the contrary, thanks to him, we’ve been able to foster the creation of these neighborhood businesses that are so important to our villages.”
Speaking about the local food system, he mentioned the creation of the farmers’ association Majombé, which is already working with the Caraïbe Price teams to facilitate the procurement of local products. He also pointed out that Saint-Joseph, far from being a commuter town, has gained more than 350 residents since the last census. The business park will also be expanded to cover more than seven hectares, with improved internal traffic flow, to further boost this emerging momentum.
Addressing the newly hired young people, the mayor called on them to set an example, while acknowledging the progress made so far: forty jobs created thanks to the collaboration between the CréO group and city departments.
Motivated teams, ready for the big day
Behind the scenes, the excitement was palpable. Two employees, Huria Fitte-Duval and Ludmilla Bonnaire, expressed their satisfaction at having spent days stocking the shelves and completely setting up the store. «We can’t wait to welcome our first customers this Thursday,» they said, smiling.
Patrick Fabre also discussed the operations of the CréO group, which processes 120 containers per week, and the need for local stores to achieve sufficient volume to survive. «Anyone who can’t generate enough volume will struggle and eventually go out of business,» he warned, recalling a past experience with Leader Price: by combining a discount retailer with brand-name stores, the synergy had proven successful in Les François.
See you on Thursday, March 5, at 7:00 a.m.
The inauguration concluded in a warm atmosphere, marked by a sense of collective pride and anticipation. The people of Saint-Joseph were invited to gather on Thursday, March 5, at 7:00 a.m., with special promotions and activities planned for the event. In Saint-Joseph, the spirit of community is now firmly established.
