As discussed in “Executive Overview” above, second quarter and year-to-date net sales across all of the Company’s brands were down significantly in all major categories as a result of retail shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Licensing revenues consist of royalties earned on the sales of branded apparel, accessories and specialty footwear in the United States and on branded footwear in Mexico and certain overseas markets. Licensing revenues were down for the quarter and first six months of 2020, as compared to the same periods in 2019, in line with reductions in licensees’ sales of branded products.
Earnings from Operations
Gross earnings for the North American wholesale segment were 34.7% of net sales in the second quarter of 2020, compared to 35.1% of net sales in last year’s second quarter. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, wholesale gross earnings were 32.3% of net sales, as compared to 34.6% of net sales in 2019. The decrease in gross margins for the year-to-date period was largely due to the additional costs related to the tariff on certain footwear imported from China. The tariff of 15% took effect on September 1, 2019 and was subsequently reduced to 7.5% on February 14, 2020. The Company purchased a limited amount of inventory at the higher tariff rate, and expects the tariff’s negative impact on gross margins will lessen as it sells through its current inventory.
North American wholesale segment selling and administrative expenses include, and are primarily related to, distribution costs, salaries and commissions, advertising costs, employee benefit costs, and depreciation. Wholesale selling and administrative expenses were $13.4 million, or 144% of net sales, in the second quarter of 2020, compared to $13.9 million, or 30% of net sales, in the second quarter of 2019. Second quarter 2020 expenses included the write-off of approximately $3.3 million in receivables as a result of JCP’s bankruptcy filing in May 2020, partially offset by $1.4 million of income from U.S. and Canada government wage subsidies. Additionally, the Company adjusted its advertising spending, which reduced second quarter selling and administrative expenses by $1.1 million as compared to last year’s second quarter.
For the six months ended June 30, wholesale segment selling and administrative expenses were $27.4 million, or 44% of net sales, in 2020 versus $29.1 million, or 28% of net sales, in 2019. Expenses in the first half of 2020 included the write-off of approximately $3.3 million in JCP receivables, as noted above, partially offset by $1.4 million of income from U.S. and Canada government wage subsidies. Additionally, the Company adjusted its advertising spending, which reduced year-to-date selling and administrative expenses by $1.7 million, as compared to the first six months of 2019.
The wholesale segment’s operating losses totaled $10.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, down from operating earnings of $2.2 million in last year’s second quarter, due to the factors discussed above. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the wholesale segment had operating losses of $7.4 million, down from operating earnings of $7.4 million in the same period of 2019, as a result of the factors discussed above.
The Company’s cost of sales does not include distribution costs (e.g., receiving, inspection, warehousing, shipping, and handling costs). Wholesale distribution costs were $2.8 million for the second quarter of 2020 versus $3.0 million for the same period of 2019. For the six-month periods ended June 30, wholesale distribution costs were $6.1 million in both 2020 and 2019. These costs were included in selling and administrative expenses. The Company’s gross earnings may not be comparable to other companies, as some companies may include distribution costs in cost of sales.
North American Retail Segment
Net Sales
Net sales in the Company’s retail segment were $3.6 million in the second quarter of 2020, down 33% compared to $5.4 million in the second quarter of 2019. For the six months ended June 30, retail net sales declined 23% to $8.4 million in 2020, from $11.0 million in 2019. Same store sales, which include U.S. e-commerce sales, were down 31% and 22% for the quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively, compared to the same periods last year, primarily due to retail store closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earnings from Operations
Retail gross earnings were 61.1% of net sales in the second quarter of 2020, compared to 65.0% of net sales in last year’s second quarter. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, retail gross earnings were 63.5% of net sales, as compared to 65.1% of net sales in 2019. The retail segment had operating losses totaling $856,000 for the quarter, down from operating earnings of $401,000 in last year’s second quarter. For the six months ended June 30, retail operating losses were $945,000 in 2020, down from operating earnings of $884,000 in 2019. The decreases for the quarter and first half of 2020 were due to larger operating losses at brick-and mortar stores as a result of the impact of the pandemic.