With the long term outlook on energy improving, the impact of rising fuel prices on retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target ( TGT ) and Costco ( COST ) should lessen. In the recently concluded quarter, Wal-Mart's ( WMT ) growth slowed due to sluggish consumer spending and higher gasoline prices. For instance, consumer spending in September 2012 remained below average when gasoline prices were at a peak of $3.85/gallon .