SALES (cont.)
The 7% increase in sales of Seasonal Candy of $52,601 for the three months ended December 31, 2023 over the same period ended December 31, 2022 is primarily due to the effect of increased quantities sold as no specific price increases have been implemented in this category since July 2022: 1) increased sales in the bulk seasonal division by approximately $23,000 versus the same period a year ago, primarily due to increased sales to existing customers; 2) increased sales to existing customers in the regular produce category by approximately $60,000 versus the same period a year ago; offset by 3) decreased sales to existing customers in clamshell division by approximately $26,000 versus the same period a year ago; 4) increase in sales allowances and discounts by approximately $5,000.
Sales increased $7,070 or less than 1% for the six months ended December 31, 2023 to $2,449,291 compared to $2,442,221 for the six months ended December 31, 2022. Sales for Chase Candy decreased $22,655 to $952,177 for the six months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $974,832 for the six months ended December 31, 2022. Sales for Seasonal Candy increased $29,725 to $1,497,114 for the six months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $1,467,389 for the six months ended December 31, 2022.
The 2% decrease in sales of Chase Candy by $22,655 for the six months ended December 31, 2023 over the same period ended December 31, 2022 is primarily due to the decline in sales in the first quarter resulting from decreases in orders from existing customers offset by the increases realized in the second quarter noted above.
The 2% increase in sales of Seasonal Candy of $29,725 for the six months ended December 31, 2023 over the same period ended December 31, 2022 is primarily due to the decline in sales in the first quarter resulting from decreases in orders from existing customers offset by the increases realized in the second quarter noted above.
COST OF SALES
The cost of sales increased $216,610 to $999,191 or 75% of related sales for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $782,581 or 62% of related sales for the three months ended December 31, 2022.
The cost of sales increased $227,129 to $1,796,211 or 73% of related sales for the six months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $1,569,082 or 64% of related sales for the six months ended December 31, 2022.
The increase in cost of sales as a percentage of sales is related to increases in raw materials and labor. Due to volatility in the regions where these raw materials are grown, management anticipates the prices of these raw materials to continue to fluctuate primarily based on supply and demand. Additionally, all employees were given a 5-10% raise at the end of January 2023. While the Company was able to implement a price increase in December 2022 for the majority of customers for Chase Candy products, the cost increases noted above continue to outpace the revenue improvements.
SELLING EXPENSES
Selling expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2023 decreased $2,483 to $106,713, which is 8% of sales, compared to $109,196, or 9% of sales for the three months ended December 31, 2022.
Selling expenses for the six months ended December 31, 2023 decreased $1,441 to $207,095, which is 8% of sales, compared to $208,536, or 9% of sales for the six months ended December 31, 2022.