The Energy Tax: What This Week's CPI, Jobs, and Sentiment Data Mean for Strip Center Owners

Gas prices surged $1.08/gallon in a single month — and the ripple effects hit strip center owners hard. March 2026 CPI hit 3.3%, consumer sentiment fell to an all-time low, and the jobs market showed stagnation. Here’s what Ray Kang CCIM breaks down for retail property investors: what the energy shock means for your tenant mix, spending patterns, and investment strategy.