North American Retail Segment
Net Sales
Net sales in our retail segment were a third-quarter record of $7.6 million in 2023, up 6% compared to our previous record of $7.1 million last year. The quarterly increase was due to higher sales across all our domestic e-commerce websites, with the largest increases at BOGS and Florsheim. For the nine months ended September 30, retail net sales reached a record $24.1 million in 2023, up 8% over our previous record of $22.4 million in 2022. The year-to-date increase was due to higher sales volumes across all our e-commerce websites, with the largest increase at Florsheim. Brick-and-mortar sales for the first nine months of 2023 were relatively flat compared to last year.
Earnings from Operations
Retail gross earnings as a percent of net sales were 65.4% and 66.3% in the third quarters of 2023 and 2022, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, retail gross earnings were 66.0% of net sales, compared to 66.5% of net sales in the same period of 2022.
Selling and administrative expenses for the retail segment consist primarily of freight, advertising expense, employee costs, and rent and occupancy costs. Retail selling and administrative expenses were $4.0 million, or 53% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2023 versus $3.9 million, or 55% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, retail selling and administrative expenses were $12.6 million, or 52% of net sales, in 2023 and $12.1 million, or 54% of net sales, in 2022.
Retail operating earnings rose to $926,000 for the quarter, up 12% compared to $825,000 in last year’s third quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, retail operating earnings were $3.3 million in 2023, up 18% over $2.8 million in 2022. The increases for the quarter and year-to-date periods were primarily due to higher earnings from our e-commerce businesses, driven by higher web sales.
Other
Operating results reported in the “other” category consist entirely of the operating results at Florsheim Australia. Third quarter 2023 net sales of Florsheim Australia totaled $7.1 million, down 14% compared to $8.2 million in the third quarter of 2022. In local currency, its net sales were down 10%, primarily in its wholesale businesses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, other net sales were $22.5 million, down slightly compared to $22.6 million in the same period one year ago. In local currency, Florsheim Australia’s net sales were up 5% for the year-to-date period, due to higher sales in its retail businesses partially offset by lower sales in its wholesale businesses. The weakening of the Australian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar led to the lower sales growth in U.S. dollars this year.
Florsheim Australia’s gross earnings were 61.6% of net sales for the quarter compared to 61.4% of net sales in last year’s third quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, its gross earnings as a percent of net sales were 61.5% and 60.9% in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Other operating earnings totaled $256,000 for the quarter versus $476,000 last year. The decrease was primarily due to lower earnings in Australia’s wholesale businesses, as a result of lower sales. For the nine-months ended September 30, 2023, other operating earnings totaled $807,000, compared to $598,000 in the same period last year. The year-to-date earnings increase was largely due to improved results of the retail businesses in Australia.
Other income and expense
Interest income was $269,000 and $86,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, interest income was $598,000 in 2023 and $266,000 in 2022. The increases in 2023 were due to more interest earned on the higher cash balances this year. Interest expense decreased $192,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period of 2022, due to less interest incurred as we paid off our debt in the 2023 quarter. Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was up $313,000 over the same period of 2022, due to interest incurred on the higher average debt balances earlier this year.
Other (expense) income, net, totaled ($133,000) for the quarter compared to $141,000 in last year’s third quarter. For the year-to-date period, other (expense) income, net, totaled ($431,000) in 2023 and $316,000 in 2022. The increases in expense for both the quarter and year-to-date periods was primarily due to an increase in the non-service costs components of pension expense this year. See Note 7 in the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) for additional details.