The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increased selling and marketing expenses of $18.7 million, including merchandise displays, allocated trade development, premiums and sponsorship and endorsements, increased warehouse costs of $9.9 million, as well as increased payroll expenses of $21.9 million (of which $6.3 million was related to CANarchy). The increase in operating expenses was partially offset by a decrease in out-bound fuel and freight expenses of $16.0 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2023. Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales for the three-months ended March 31, 2023 were 24.3% as compared to 24.8% for the three-months ended March 31, 2022.
Operating Income
Operating income was $485.1 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of approximately $85.6 million, or 21.4% higher than operating income of $399.5 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2022. Operating income as a percentage of net sales increased to 28.6% for the three-months ended March 31, 2023 from 26.3% for the three-months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in operating income was primarily the result of an increase in net sales, as well as an increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales.
Operating income was $93.7 million and $71.5 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, 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 $560.8 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of approximately $106.3 million, or 23.4% higher than operating income of $454.6 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in operating income for the Monster Energy® Drinks segment was primarily the result of an increase in net sales as well as an increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales.
Operating income for the Strategic Brands segment, exclusive of corporate and unallocated expenses, was $51.8 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2023, a decrease of approximately $5.4 million, or 9.5% lower than operating income of $57.2 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in operating income for the Strategic Brands segment was primarily the result of a decrease in net sales.
Operating loss for the Alcohol Brands segment, exclusive of corporate and unallocated expenses, was $6.9 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of approximately $1.9 million, or 39.0% higher than operating loss of $5.0 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2022 (effectively from February 17, 2022 to March 31, 2022). The operating losses for the three-months ended March 31, 2023 were primarily due to expenses and infrastructure investments for the expansion of the Alcohol Brands segment.
Operating (loss) income for the Other segment, exclusive of corporate and unallocated expenses, was ($0.3) million for the three-months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to operating income of $1.1 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2022. The operating loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was primarily the result of the decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net sales.
Interest and Other Income (Expense), net
Interest and other non-operating income (expense), net, was $12.5 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to interest and other non-operating income (expense), net, of ($7.3) million for the three-months ended March 31, 2022. Foreign currency transaction losses were $11.2 million and $8.4 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Interest income was $23.5 million and $1.5 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes was $100.1 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of $2.1 million, or 2.2% higher than the provision for income taxes of $98.0 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2022. The effective combined federal, state and foreign tax rate decreased to 20.1% from 25.0% for the three-months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily attributable to the increase in the stock compensation deduction in the three-months ended March 31, 2023.