Operating expenses for the first quarter of 2009 increased to 60.6 percent of net sales, versus 51.4 percent for the first quarter of 2008. Operating expenses increased significantly in the U.S. retail and international segments due to higher payroll, rent and occupancy expense, and depreciation related to the greater number of retail stores in operation including the accelerated store rollout in the second half of 2008. Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales also increased due to the decline in comparable store sales in the period versus the previous year. Store pre-opening expenses were $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2009, versus $1.3 million in the prior year's first quarter. Unallocated corporate expenses increased 7 percent to $10.7 million from $10.0 million in the first quarter a year ago.