Other (expense) income, net. Other expense, net was $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to Other income, net of $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes was $5.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $4.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The effective tax rate was 28.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and was higher than the statutory rate primarily due to non-deductible executive compensation. The effective tax rate was 27.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and higher than the statutory rate primarily due to state taxes and non-deductible executive compensation, partially offset by research and development tax credits.
Comparison of Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 to Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
Net sales. Product segment net sales increased by $50.6 million, or 25.8%, from $196.6 million to $247.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to increases of $25.8 million as a result of recent acquisitions, $14.8 million from higher North American demand for armor products and $7.8 million from higher demand for duty gear products. Distribution segment net sales increased by $3.4 million, or 6.7%, from $50.4 million to $53.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to increased agency demand for hard goods. Reconciling items consisting primarily of intercompany eliminations were $18.8 million and $14.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Cost of goods sold and gross profit. Product segment cost of goods sold increased by $32.6 million, or 29.4%, from $110.8 million to $143.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to increased volume, increased costs to manufacture product (principally material and labor), and increases from the amortization of inventory step up adjustments related to 2024 acquisitions, partially offset by product mix. Product segment gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased by 162 basis points to 42.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 from 43.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2023, mainly driven by increases from the amortization of inventory step up adjustments related to the recent acquisitions and inflation, partially offset by favorable pricing. Distribution segment cost of goods sold increased by $2.8 million, or 7.3%, from $38.5 million to $41.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to increased volume. Distribution segment gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased by 40 basis points to 23.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 from 23.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2023, mainly driven by unfavorable mix. Reconciling items consisting primarily of intercompany eliminations were $18.8 million and $13.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative. Selling, general and administrative increased by $10.0 million, or 14.4%, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to recent acquisitions, employee compensation and related benefits, and professional services.
Restructuring and transaction costs. Restructuring and transaction costs increased by $2.4 million, or 348.2%, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 primarily due to costs incurred associated with the ICOR and Alpha Safety acquisitions.
Related party expense. Related party expense, which ordinarily consists of rent expense related to distribution warehouses and retail stores that we lease from related parties, increased by $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023 primarily due to a $1.8 million transaction fee paid to Kanders & Company, Inc., a company controlled by our Chief Executive Officer, in connection with the acquisition of Alpha Safety.
Interest expense. Interest expense increased by $1.0 million, or 37.2%, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to the addition of the incremental term loan in 2024.
Other (expense) income, net. Other expense, net was $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to Other income, net of $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.