Rising Costs Put Pressure on Independent Supermarkets: Why Energy Expenses Matter More Than Ever

Longtime RK Energy Group clients and National Supermarket Association leaders speak out about the challenges facing independent grocers in New York City.

Independent supermarkets have always played an important role in the communities they serve. But today, many independent grocers are facing increasing pressure from rising operating expenses, changing market conditions, and intense competition.

Those challenges were recently brought into the spotlight in a September 2026 article published by The Epoch Times, which featured two longtime RK Energy Group clients and leaders within the National Supermarket Association: Angel Rafael Nuñez and Anthony Peña.

The article examines concerns surrounding New York City's plans to establish city-owned supermarkets and the potential impact those stores could have on existing independent grocers.

For RK Energy Group, one part of the conversation stood out in particular: the increasing cost of energy.

The Rising Cost of Doing Business

Angel Nuñez has operated his C-Town supermarket in the South Bronx for more than four decades. In speaking with The Epoch Times, Nuñez pointed to real estate taxes, rent, insurance and energy costs as fundamental expenses contributing to the prices retailers ultimately have to charge consumers.

For supermarkets, energy isn't a minor expense.

Refrigeration systems operate around the clock. Freezers, coolers, HVAC systems, lighting, food-preparation equipment and other essential systems create substantial and continuous electricity demand.

When energy costs increase, independent operators can't simply turn those systems off.

That makes controlling energy expenses an important part of protecting a supermarket's bottom line.

Supporting Independent Supermarkets

The challenges highlighted in the article are familiar to RK Energy Group.

For years, RK Energy Group has worked with independent supermarkets to help identify opportunities to better manage electricity and natural gas expenses, evaluate energy supply contracts, improve lighting and equipment efficiency, and take advantage of available utility rebate programs.

That commitment also led to RK Energy Group's longstanding relationship with the National Supermarket Association (NSA).

RK Energy Group formally announced an expanded partnership with the NSA in 2019, after already working with the organization for more than a decade. The initiative was designed to help participating supermarkets reduce electricity expenses through energy supply and efficiency programs.

Today, that relationship continues to reflect something RK Energy Group has believed from the beginning: independent business owners deserve an experienced advocate on their side.

Longtime Clients Leading the Conversation

Seeing Angel Nuñez and Anthony Peña featured in this national conversation is particularly meaningful to RK Energy Group because of our longstanding relationships with both supermarket leaders.

Nuñez currently serves on the NSA Board of Directors, while Peña serves as the organization's National President.

In the Epoch Times article, Peña advocates for greater collaboration with independent supermarket owners when addressing food affordability, emphasizing the importance of listening to the people who operate these businesses every day.

It's a perspective that aligns closely with RK Energy Group's approach to energy consulting: understand the individual business first, then identify practical ways to reduce unnecessary costs.

Every Operating Expense Matters

Independent supermarkets operate in an industry where margins can be tight and many expenses are outside an owner's direct control.

While an energy strategy cannot solve every challenge facing an independent grocer, energy is one area where businesses may have opportunities to make meaningful improvements.

Reviewing electricity and natural gas agreements, identifying billing issues, evaluating lighting and equipment, pursuing available utility rebates, and monitoring energy expenses can all be part of a broader strategy to control operating costs.

And those opportunities aren't limited to supermarkets.

RK Energy Group works with businesses across numerous industries to identify ways to better understand, manage and potentially reduce their energy expenses.

An Energy Partner for Your Business

At RK Energy Group, we encourage our clients to think of us as their Offsite Energy Department.

Rather than navigating energy suppliers, utility companies, contracts, billing issues and rebate programs alone, businesses can turn to RK Energy Group for experienced guidance and ongoing support.

For independent supermarkets and other energy-intensive businesses, that support can be particularly valuable.

Is your business paying more for energy than it should?

Let RK Energy Group review your current energy situation and identify opportunities that may help reduce expenses and improve efficiency.

Call 833.34.ENERGY or contact RK Energy Group today.

In the News

Longtime RK Energy Group clients Angel Rafael Nuñez and Anthony Peña were featured in The Epoch Times discussing the challenges facing independent supermarkets in New York City.

Read the full article in The Epoch Times