Tariffs are a wrinkle in back-to-school shopping. That's why we like these 3 retail stocks

The back-to-shopping season, a crucial time of the year for retailers, is being muddied by tariffs and budget-conscious consumers. That backdrop has forced retailers to get creative to protect margins while shoppers hunt for deals on clothes, dorm-room decor and more. Tariffs are front and center. Just over half of respondents to UBS's back-to-school survey last month cited elevated import duties as a top economic concern, behind only inflation. The result is "lackluster" consumer spending intentions, according to UBS. Based on its survey data, the firm estimated that spending on clothing, shoes, and accessories will decline 2.3% year over year. That's in line with a forecast from the National Retail Federation . The trade group predicted that families with students in elementary through h