The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as compared to the prior-year period was primarily the result of higher store payroll and store-related expenses associated with operating more stores, marketing expenses, and incentive-based compensation in the current year, partially offset by the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer’s (“CEO”) forfeiture of unvested long-term equity incentive compensation and the reversal of fiscal 2025 cash incentive bonus expense as a result of his resignation. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased by 90 basis points to 22.9% for the thirteen weeks ended December 28, 2024 from 23.8% for the thirteen weeks ended December 30, 2023, primarily as a result of the aforementioned forfeiture of unvested long-term equity incentive compensation and reversal of 2025 cash incentive bonus expense.
Income from operations. Income from operations increased $24.3 million, or 32.4%, to $99.5 million for the thirteen weeks ended December 28, 2024 from $75.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended December 30, 2023. The increase in income from operations was attributable to the factors noted above. As a percentage of net sales, income from operations was 16.4% and 14.4% for the thirteen weeks ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively.
Interest expense. Interest expense was $0.4 million and $0.5 million for the thirteen weeks ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively. The decrease in interest expense in the current-year period was primarily the result of a lower average debt balance in the current year.
Income tax expense. Income tax expense was $24.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended December 28, 2024 compared to $19.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended December 30, 2023. Our effective tax rate was 24.3% and 25.8% for the thirteen weeks ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively. The tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended December 28, 2024 was lower than the tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended December 30, 2023, primarily due to reductions in nondeductible expenses.
Net income. Net income was $75.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended December 28, 2024 compared to $55.6 million for the thirteen weeks ended December 30, 2023. The increase in net income was primarily attributable to the factors noted above.
Thirty-Nine weeks Ended December 28, 2024 Compared to Thirty-Nine weeks Ended December 30, 2023
Net sales. Net sales increased $178.8 million, or 14.0%, to $1.457 billion for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 28, 2024 from $1.279 billion for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 30, 2023. Consolidated same store sales increased 5.4%. Excluding the impact of the 9.7% increase in e-commerce same store sales, same store sales increased by 4.8%. The increase in net sales was the result of incremental sales from new stores and the increase in consolidated same store sales.
Gross profit. Gross profit increased $73.5 million, or 15.5%, to $548.5 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 28, 2024 from $475.0 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 30, 2023. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased by 50 basis points to 37.6% for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 28, 2024 from 37.2% for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 30, 2023. Gross profit increased primarily due to an increase in sales and merchandise margin, partially offset by the occupancy costs of new stores. The increase in gross profit rate of 50 basis points was driven primarily by a 100 basis-point increase in merchandise margin rate, partially offset by 50 basis points of deleverage in buying, occupancy and distribution center costs. The increase in merchandise margin rate was the result of supply chain efficiencies, while the deleverage in buying, occupancy and distribution center costs was driven primarily by the occupancy costs of new stores.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. SG&A expenses increased $43.8 million, or 13.9%, to $358.8 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 28, 2024 from $315.0 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 30, 2023. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as compared to the prior-year period was primarily the result of higher store payroll and store-related expenses associated with operating more stores, corporate general and administrative expenses, and marketing expenses in the current year, partially offset by the Company’s former CEO’s forfeiture of unvested long-term equity incentive compensation and the reversal of fiscal 2025 cash incentive bonus expense as a result of his resignation. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A was 24.6% for both the thirty-nine weeks ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023.