Subsequent to quarter-end, we announced that we were commencing a strategic realignment related to our Naturalizer retail operations in the United States and Canada. In an effort to continue to improve future profitability and allow greater focus on high-growth, digital channels, we plan to close all Naturalizer stores, with the exception of a limited number of flagship locations, by the end of fiscal 2020. We continue to view the Naturalizer brand as a strong and value-driving component of our portfolio. Therefore, we will be focusing on growing the brand’s e-commerce through naturalizer.com, our retail partners and their websites, and the flagship stores.
Our unfilled order position for our wholesale sales decreased $119.7 million, or 33.8%, to $234.7 million at October 31, 2020, compared to $354.4 million at November 2, 2019. The decrease in our backlog order levels reflect fewer orders as our wholesale customers shift to responding to consumer demand in-season, resulting in fewer up-front orders, as well as the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gross Profit
Gross profit decreased $39.5 million, or 29.5%, to $94.3 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $133.8 million for the third quarter of 2019, reflecting the difficult retail environment driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a percentage of net sales, our gross profit decreased to 35.2% for the third quarter of 2020, compared to 37.2% for the third quarter of 2019.
Gross profit decreased $173.8 million, or 45.1%, to $211.7 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $385.5 million for the nine months ended November 2, 2019, primarily reflecting lower net sales and higher incremental cost of goods sold in the nine months ended October 31, 2020, driven by higher inventory markdowns reflecting the difficult retail environment driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as $1.6 million in inventory markdowns related to the decision during the first quarter of 2020 to exit our Fergie brand. As a percentage of net sales, our gross profit decreased to 31.7% for the nine months ended October 31, 2020, compared to 36.3% for the nine months ended November 2, 2019, primarily reflecting the incremental markdowns described above.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses decreased $27.4 million, or 23.9%, to $87.0 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $114.4 million for the third quarter of 2019. The decrease was primarily driven by lower salaries expense attributable to the ongoing impact of the workforce reductions implemented in the first half of 2020, as well as lower marketing expense. As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses increased to 32.5% for the third quarter of 2020, compared to 31.8% for the third quarter of 2019.
Selling and administrative expenses decreased $85.5 million, or 25.2%, to $253.2 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $338.7 million for the nine months ended November 2, 2019. The decrease was primarily driven by lower salaries expense reflecting the strategic actions taken during the first half of 2020 to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. The decrease also reflects lower logistics expenses and a reduction in variable expenses associated with the retail store closures during a portion of the first half of 2020 and the declining store base. As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses increased to 37.9% for the nine months ended October 31, 2020, compared to 31.9% for the nine months ended November 2, 2019.
Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets
As a result of the deterioration of general economic conditions and the resulting decline in our share price and market capitalization, we recorded impairment charges of $262.7 million during the first quarter of 2020, including $240.3 million associated with goodwill and $22.4 million associated with the indefinite-lived Allen Edmonds and Via Spiga trademarks. There were no corresponding charges for the third quarter of 2020 or the nine months ended November 2, 2019. Refer to Note 5 and Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion of these charges.
Restructuring and Other Special Charges, Net
Restructuring and other special charges were $48.4 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2020, reflecting expenses associated with the impact of COVID-19 on our business operations, primarily impairment charges on store furniture and fixtures and lease right-of-use assets, liabilities due to our factories for order cancellations and severance expense. Restructuring and other special charges were $0.6 million for the nine months ended November 2, 2019, primarily related to the integration of Vionic. There were no restructuring and other special charges during the third quarter of 2020 or 2019. Refer to Note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information related to these charges.
Operating Earnings (Loss)
Operating earnings decreased $12.1 million to $7.3 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $19.4 million for the third quarter of 2019 as a result of the factors described above. As a percentage of net sales, operating earnings decreased to 2.7% for the third quarter of 2020, compared to 5.4% in the third quarter of 2019.