Nearly all sectors are approaching the last leg of the second-quarter earnings season, with 85.2% of the S&P 500 companies having reported their results as of Aug 4, 2016 (per the latest Zacks Earnings Trend). Among these, roughly 70% posted positive earnings surprises and over 50% surpassed top-line expectations. While earnings and revenues for these companies are down 4.5% and 1%, respectively from the same period last year, the figure represents a sequential improvement.

Out of the 16 Zacks sectors, the Retail/Wholesale sector has a sizeable chunk of companies that are yet to come up with their earnings reports. Further, this sector appears well placed despite challenges including overseas turmoil, yet-to-recover Chinese economy, fluctuating commodity prices and Fed rate-related controversies that are affecting consumers’ spending behavior to an extent.

As of Aug 4, about 47.7% of the total number of S&P 500 companies in this sector had reported their results, wherein 42.9% delivered an earnings beat and 19% cruised ahead of revenue estimates. Moreover, the top and bottom lines jumped 8.6% and 8.1% year over year, respectively. Well, this is not it. Total earnings for the Retail/Wholesale sector are expected to climb by 1.7%, with revenues projected to rise 4.8% in Q2.

Overall, the future prospects of the retail sector look promising as it is positioned to gain from the improving U.S. economy, which highlights a favorable job scenario and rising consumer spending. However, given the market volatility and macroeconomic hurdles, it is better to wait and see what these retailers have in store for their earnings releases this season.

So, let’s catch a glimpse of a few Retail/Wholesale stocks that are queued up for second-quarter 2016 earnings releases on Aug 8, 2016.

To start with Bojangles', Inc. , we are unsure whether this restaurants operator will be able to post a positive earnings surprise in the quarter to be reported. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. This is not the case here as the company has an Earnings ESP of -4.35% as the Most Accurate estimate of 22 cents stands below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 23 cents. Though the company has outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by an average of 22.9% in the trailing four quarters, it currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). We caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Sell-rated stocks) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.

Next, let’s take a sneak peek at BMC Stock Holdings, Inc. . While this building products and services provider has outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by an average of 122.6% over the trailing four quarters, our proven model does not conclusively show that BMC Stock Holdings is likely to beat earnings estimates this quarter. This is because the company currently has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%, with both the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate pegged at 23 cents. Further, the stock carries a Zacks Rank #4.

Finally, let’s watch full-service national travel center chain, TravelCenters of America LLC , which has a dismal earnings history, as is evident from its negative trailing four-quarter average of 35.8%. Further, it looks as if the company will repeat its soft performance this quarter, as this Zacks Rank #4 stock has an Earnings ESP of -56.25%. The Most Accurate estimate for the second quarter is pegged at 7 cents, whereas the Zacks Consensus Estimate currently stands at 16 cents. So, let’s wait and see what’s in store for TravelCenters.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days.Click to get this free report >>