With the average price for a gallon of gas at $3.13, rising gas prices are not only hurting consumers, but also businesses.

“Many consumers say the increase in gas is forcing them to spend more of their discretionary income at retail businesses closer to home and that more of them are buying in bulk when they shop,” said Kathy Grannis, a spokeswoman for the National Retail Federation. “Consumer uncertainty about where gas prices will be from week to week has them cutting down on the number of shopping trips, which is starting to impact retailers.”

In a survey conducted by NRF, 74.2 percent of consumers said rising pump prices caused them to spend less and make fewer trips to the store. For people with incomes of less than $50,000, about 50 percent said they altered their spending habits, and they drove less.

The survey also found that nearly 35 percent of consumers already decreased their vacation and travel plans, and more than 30 percent said they dined out less. People ages 25 to 34 said they felt the impact of rising prices more, while people 65 and older said they felt it the least.

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“We don’t expect to see gas prices go up to $4 per gallon,” said Ragina Averella, spokeswoman for AAA, “unless the price of crude hits $75 or more per barrel.”

Averella said AAA is predicting only a 1.7 percent increase in Memorial Day traffic from 2006. “Many Marylanders will stay at home or with family, or they will cut back on things they can control like staying at less expensive hotels or dining out less while on vacation,” she said.

“Consumers are entering the summer season with a cautious view of increasing gas prices,” NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin said.

“Right now, we are seeing record demand for gas,” Averella said. “However, supplies are low due to fires and outages at gas refineries, which has impacted production, along with a reduction in gas imports. These factors have sent the price of gasoline up. There is plenty of crude, but the refinery process slowed down.”

In Maryland, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.13, up from $2.99 at the same time in 2006 and up from $2.87 a month ago.

rchappelle@baltimoreexaminer.com