increased ingredient and other input costs, including secondary packaging materials and increased co-packing fees, increased logistical costs, increased aluminum can costs and geographical and product sales mix.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $415.8 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of approximately $71.1 million, or 20.6% higher than total operating expenses of $344.7 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2021.
The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increased general and administrative expenses of $22.2 million, including travel and entertainment and professional service fees (including legal and accounting), increased selling and marketing expenses of $20.5 million, including sponsorships and endorsements, social media and digital marketing, commissions, point of sale, premiums and allocated trade development, increased warehouse, out-bound fuel and freight costs of $17.7 million, as well as increased payroll expenses of $15.9 million (of which $6.6 million was related to CANarchy). CANarchy related depreciation and amortization was $2.4 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in operating expenses was partially offset by a decrease in distributor termination expenses of $5.3 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2022. Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales for the three-months ended September 30, 2022 were 25.6% as compared to 24.4% for the three-months ended September 30, 2021. Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales for the three-months ended September 30, 2019 (pre COVID-19) were 24.5%.
Operating Income
Operating income was $417.9 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of approximately $26.5 million, or 6.0% lower than operating income of $444.5 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2021. Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased to 25.7% for the three-months ended September 30, 2022 from 31.5% for the three-months ended September 30, 2021. Operating income for the three-months ended September 30, 2022 decreased primarily as a result of the increase in operating expenses as well as the decrease in the gross profit as a percentage of net sales.
Operating income was $89.9 million and $105.9 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, for our operations in EMEA, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Operating income for the Monster Energy® Drinks segment, exclusive of corporate and unallocated expenses, was $492.5 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of approximately $8.1 million, or 1.6% lower than operating income of $500.6 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2021. The decrease in operating income for the Monster Energy® Drinks segment was primarily the result of an increase in operating expenses as well as a decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net sales.
Operating income for the Strategic Brands segment, exclusive of corporate and unallocated expenses, was $47.3 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of approximately $7.1 million, or 17.7% higher than operating income of $40.2 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2021. The increase in operating income for the Strategic Brands segment was primarily the result of an increase in gross profit.
Operating loss for the Alcohol Brands segment, exclusive of corporate and unallocated expenses, was $10.3 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2022.
Operating income for the Other segment, exclusive of corporate and unallocated expenses, was $1.0 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of approximately $0.2 million, or 14.7% lower than operating income of $1.1 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2021.
Interest and Other Income (Expense), net
Interest and other non-operating income (expense), net, was $2.1 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to interest and other non-operating income (expense), net, of ($2.3) million for the three-months ended September 30, 2021. Foreign currency transaction losses were $6.2 million and $2.9 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Interest income was $9.6 million and $0.8 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.