There are some retail brands that will always be in high demand. Walmart (NYSE: WMT ), for example, will consistently remain a top competitor as long as it continues to be one of the most affordable places for consumers to buy the things they truly need. But there are plenty of retail stocks to sell right now that don’t fall into the must-have category for shoppers.
Providing products that are nice to have but aren’t necessities means these retailers are feeling the pain the most as consumers feel the effects of a stagnating economy. Regardless of whether the economy is strong based on quantifiable metrics, many Americans still feel their dollar doesn’t go as far anymore. This leads to a pullback on spending in categories that aren’t seen as necessary, and that is when companies like the three on this list go from good bets to retail stocks to sell.
Leslie’s (LESL) During the pandemic, there was a boom in pool building and upgrades. Stuck at home and with little to spend their money on, people were ready and willing to pour thousands of dollars into pool upgrades and repairs. But that excitement tapered off and consumers are now spending elsewhere or not at all.
This shift directly impacted Leslie’s (NASDAQ: LESL ), the largest retailer of swimming pool supplies and products in the U.S. Mike Egeck, CEO of Leslie’s, summed up many of the challenges manufacturers faced in 2023.
“Unfavorable weather, increased consumer price sensitivity and pool owners with an el.
