pre_text: ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Consolidated Performance Summary. The following table presents selected consolidated financial data for the indicated fiscal years (dollars in millions, except per share data): *Non-GAAP metric; refer to "Return on Invested Capital ("ROIC") and Economic Return" below for more information and Exhibit 99.1 for a reconciliation. Net sales. Fiscal 2019 net sales increased $290.9 million, or 10.1%, as compared to fiscal 2018. Net sales are analyzed by management by geographic segment, which reflects the Company's reportable segments, and by market sector. Management measures operational performance and allocates resources on a geographic segment basis. The Company’s global business development strategy is based on our targeted market sectors.
table: 2019 2018
table: Net sales  $3,164.4 $2,873.5
table: Cost of sales  2,872.6 2,615.9
table: Gross profit  291.8 257.6
table: Gross margin  9.2% 9.0%
table: Operating income  142.1 118.3
table: Operating margin  4.5% 4.1%
table: Other expense  16.1 10.7
table: Income tax expense 17.3 94.6
table: Net income  108.6 13.0
table: Diluted earnings per share  $3.50 $0.38
table: Return on invested capital*  13.1% 16.1%
table: Economic return* 4.1% 6.6%
question: Analyse this data from a financial earnings document. What was the change in the gross profit between 2018 and 2019?