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“We would like to inform you that your Ti AMC store will close its doors permanently on Saturday, March 29.” This somewhat abrupt announcement was broadcast on a so-called “social” network on Tuesday February 25 by the AMC chain. Needless to say, the message to customers is a little longer than this simple sentence. Nevertheless, the news of the store's impending closure was greeted by numerous messages of spite.
The Ti AMC store, which opened in July 2023, did not offer the satisfaction expected at the time of its launch. “This decision was taken due to numerous constraints (health and safety) linked to the operation of this ephemeral outlet”, states the online publication, which also refers to ‘the birth of a strategic partnership with the Monoprix chain’. This relationship began over a year ago with the sale of the chain's stores in Galeries du Commerce, opposite the airport, and Minimart to Monoprix. The opening of Ti AMC at the company's warehouses was intended as a transitional phase towards a new store project. But as Patrice Magras, son of Alain Magras who took over the company's destiny, explains, this new project will not see the light of day “in the immediate future”.
“AMC endures"
Patrice Magras insists, however, that while the retail store closes its doors on March 29, AMC will continue to operate as a wholesale and semi-wholesale supplier. Our specialized wholesale warehouses will enable us to refocus on supplying the island's small retailers,” he assures us. The retail business is coming to an end, but AMC will continue to distribute. And individuals can still come to the warehouses for wholesale or semi-wholesale purchases.” As a result, AMC is not disappearing. But a part of Saint-Barth's commercial history is gradually disappearing.
In Gustavia, the store located not far from the harbour master's office was redeveloped in 2023 to reduce its surface area and offer a new formula. Without much success, it was closed in June 2024. But the space still belongs to AMC. As Patrice Magras assures us: “We're working on another project.
A boom in the 1980s
With Monoprix, the manager explains that the strategy is “to optimize sourcing by pooling our purchases so as to have products available on a more regular basis”. With strength in numbers, Patrice Magras is also banking on the fact that he will have greater leverage in discussions with central purchasing agencies and transporters. A win-win partnership for both companies.
In Saint-Barthélemy, AMC is obviously a family affair. If I listen to my father, it all began in 1890 with my great-great-grandmother's grocery store,” smiles Patrice Magras. For me, the boom and development came with my father when, in the 1980s, he took over the store created in Gustavia in 1962. It was he who opened the AMC warehouses, with a major change of scale in the 2000s in Public.” Today, these warehouses occupy a surface area of around 2,000 square metres.
In any case, the Ti AMC store is in its final weeks of operation. “We would like to thank you for your trust, loyalty and support, and remain at your disposal to answer any questions you may have,” the company wrote in its final statement. Yesterday, Wednesday February 26, a publication invited customers to take advantage of a “destocking” operation.
