Retail is a barometer of economic activity if retail is rising it means people are out spending which reinforces our economic cycle, and the next 4 months are the most active retail months of the year.  Kids are going back to school,college sports gets into full swing, and pro sports are not far behind.  This all very good for retail stocks especially sporting goods like Dicks Sporting Goods (DKS) and Cabellas (CAB).