Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST), and Dollar Tree Inc. (NASDAQ:DLTR) are holding up the retail sector both of these stocks are trading higher by over 1%. Intra-day resistance on COST is around $85.00 and $85.50; DLTR is around the $100.75 and $101.28 levels. Some other retail stocks trading higher include Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE:WMT), The TJX Companies Inc. (NYSE:TJX), and Zumiez Inc. (NASDAQ:ZUMZ).

High gasoline prices will usually hurt most leading retail stocks eventually. Gasoline prices just reached a new three year high on March 23, 2012. High gasoline prices are considered a direct tax on the U.S. consumer. Most investors know that consumer spending accounts for roughly 70.0 percent of the gross domestic product in the United States.

This morning, the retail sector is showing some strength. The popular Market Vectors Retail ETF (NYSEARCA:RTH) is trading higher by 0.06 cents to $39.50 a share. Traders can watch for intra-day resistance around the $39.58, and $39.70 levels. The daily chart remains strong and in an uptrend at this time. When the retail stocks hold up and trade higher this is a sign of consumer spending.