Retail Shares Fall as Gas Prices Pressure Discretionary Spending; LESL, ROST, ZUMZ Decline

Retail stocks fell in the May 14, 2026, session as investors weighed the risk that rising gasoline prices could squeeze household budgets and curb discretionary spending. Leslie’s, Ross Stores and Zumiez were among the shares under pressure. Gas prices climbed to their highest levels since 2022, with gasoline near $4 a gallon and WTI crude above $105, raising concerns that lower- and middle-income consumers may shift spending away from apparel, home goods and other nonessential categories. The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index fell to 47.6 in April, the lowest reading in the survey’s 74-year history. Leslie’s shares have been highly volatile, with 104 moves of more than 5% over the past year. The stock is down 13.6% year to date and recently traded at $1.50, 91.8% below its 52-week high of $18.27 from May 2025.