03:31 PM EDT, 05/27/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Consumer stocks were higher late Wednesday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) rising 1.5% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) adding 1.7%.

Redbook US same-store sales rose by 9% from a year earlier in the week ended May 23 after an 8.1% year-over-year increase in the previous week. "Demand for a wide variety of summer, home and garden, and seasonal apparel products was the main focus for most consumers," Redbook said.

In corporate news, Lululemon Athletica ( LULU ) said Wednesday that it has settled its dispute with company founder Chip Wilson. Wilson, who owns an 8.7% stake in the company, sent a letter in April to shareholders questioning the appointment of Heidi O'Neill as chief executive. Lululemon shares gained 3.9%.

Tesla (TSLA) and SpaceX (SPCX) may eventually merge after SpaceX's initial public offering in a move that would consolidate Elon Musk's control across his companies, according to early SpaceX investor Peter Diamandis, Bloomberg reported, citing an interview. Tesla shares rose 1.1%.

Abercrombie & Fitch's ( ANF ) fiscal Q1 earnings topped Wall Street's projections amid record sales for the apparel retailer. Its shares climbed past 13%.

Bath & Body Works' ( BBWI ) fiscal Q1 results exceeded market estimates, while the personal care and home fragrance retailer said its chief financial officer plans to step down. Its shares jumped nearly 11%.

Manchester United ( MANU ) on Wednesday raised its full-year top-line outlook as the UK soccer club posted double-digit growth in fiscal Q3 revenue year over year, helping it swing to earnings. Manchester United ( MANU ) shares surged over 13%.