Gross profit
Gross profit was $2.0 billion for the 26 weeks ended August 3, 2024 compared to $2.0 billion for the 26 weeks ended July 29, 2023. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 38.8% for the 26 weeks ended August 3, 2024, compared to 39.7% for the 26 weeks ended July 29, 2023. The decrease in gross profit margin was primarily due to lower merchandise margin and deleverage of store fixed costs, partially offset by growth in other revenue.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A expenses increased $97.9 million, or 8.1%, to $1.3 billion for the 26 weeks ended August 3, 2024, compared to $1.2 billion for the 26 weeks ended July 29, 2023. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 24.8% for the 26 weeks ended August 3, 2024 compared to 23.5% for the 26 weeks ended July 29, 2023, primarily due to deleverage of corporate overhead primarily due to strategic investments, store payroll and benefits, store expenses, and marketing expenses, partially offset by lower incentive compensation.
Pre-opening expenses
Pre-opening expenses were $7.1 million for the 26 weeks ended August 3, 2024 compared to $1.9 million for the 26 weeks ended July 29, 2023.
Interest income, net
Interest income, net was $11.4 million for the 26 weeks ended August 3, 2024 compared to $11.8 million for the 26 weeks ended July 29, 2023. We did not have any outstanding borrowings on the credit facility as of August 3, 2024, February 3, 2024, and July 29, 2023.
Income tax expense
Income tax expense of $175.9 million for the 26 weeks ended August 3, 2024 represents an effective tax rate of 23.7%, compared to $198.4 million of income tax expense representing an effective tax rate of 23.5% for the 26 weeks ended July 29, 2023.
Net income
Net income was $565.7 million for the 26 weeks ended August 3, 2024 compared to $647.2 million for the 26 weeks ended July 29, 2023. The decrease in net income is primarily due to the $97.9 million increase in SG&A expenses and the $5.1 million increase in pre-opening expenses, partially offset by the $22.5 million decrease in income taxes.
Liquidity and capital resources
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operations, and borrowings under our credit facility. The most significant components of our working capital are merchandise inventories, cash and cash equivalents, and receivables, reduced by accounts payable, deferred revenue, and accrued liabilities. As of August 3, 2024, February 3, 2024, and July 29, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $414.0 million, $766.6 million, and $388.6 million, respectively.
Our primary cash needs are for rent, capital expenditures for new, remodeled, and relocated stores, increased merchandise inventories related to store expansion and new brand additions, supply chain improvements, share repurchases, and continued investment in our information technology systems.
Our most significant ongoing short-term cash requirements relate primarily to funding operations (including expenditures for lease expenses, inventory, labor, distribution, advertising and marketing, and tax liabilities) as well as periodic spend for capital expenditures, investments, and share repurchases. Our working capital needs are greatest from August through November each year as a result of our inventory build-up during this period for the approaching holiday season.