percent of sales. Of the 200-basis point decline in merchandise margin, 160 basis points is attributable to the increased sales penetration of the lower merchandise margin e-commerce business and 30 basis points related to a write-down of discontinued inventory at the recently acquired G.&L. Clothing work-only store.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. SG&A expenses decreased $7.7 million, or 16.7%, to $38.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 27, 2020 from $46.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 29, 2019. The decrease in SG&A expenses was primarily a result of lower store payroll, reduced marketing expenses and lower overhead. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A increased by 120 basis points to 26.0% from 24.8% for the thirteen weeks ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, respectively, primarily as a result of deleverage on lower sales resulting from the COVID-19 crisis.
Income from operations. Income from operations decreased $14.3 million, or 88.8%, to $1.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 27, 2020 from $16.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 29, 2019. The decrease in income from operations was attributable to the COVID-19 factors noted above. As a percentage of net sales, income from operations was 1.2% and 8.6% for the thirteen weeks ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, respectively.
Interest expense, net. Interest expense, net, was $2.6 million and $3.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, respectively. The decrease in interest expense, net was primarily the result of lower interest rates associated with the debt in the current year, compared to the prior-year period, partially offset by a higher debt balance in the current-year period.
Income tax (benefit)/expense. Income tax benefit was $0.3 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 27, 2020, compared to income tax expense of $2.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 29, 2019. Our effective tax rate was 37.1% and 20.1% for the thirteen weeks ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, respectively. The tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended June 27, 2020 was higher than the tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended June 29, 2019, primarily due to a return to provision of less than $0.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 27, 2020.
Net (loss)/income. Net loss was $0.5 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 27, 2020 compared to net income of $9.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 29, 2019. The decrease from net income to net loss was primarily attributable to the COVID-19 factors noted above.
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBIT. Adjusted EBITDA decreased $12.7 million, or 58.2%, to $9.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 27, 2020 from $21.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 29, 2019. Adjusted EBIT decreased $13.6 million, or 80.1%, to $3.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 27, 2020 from $17.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 29, 2019. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBIT was primarily a result of the year-over-year decrease in income from operations driven by a decrease in gross profit and an increase in SG&A as a percent of sales as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We rely on cash flows from operating activities and our credit facilities as our primary sources of liquidity. Our primary cash needs are for inventories, operating expenses, capital expenditures associated with opening new stores and remodeling or refurbishing existing stores, improvements to our distribution facilities, marketing and information technology expenditures, debt service and taxes. We have also used cash for acquisitions, the subsequent rebranding and integration of the stores acquired in those acquisitions and costs to consolidate the corporate offices. In addition to cash and cash equivalents, the most significant components of our working capital are accounts receivable, inventories, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities. We believe that cash flows from operating activities and the availability of cash under our credit facilities or other financing arrangements will be sufficient to cover working capital requirements, anticipated capital expenditures and other anticipated cash needs for at least the next 12 months.
Our liquidity is moderately seasonal. Our cash requirements generally increase in our third fiscal quarter as we increase our inventory in advance of the Christmas shopping season.