Arizona had 7,708 wholesale trade establishments in 1997, according to the Census of Wholesale Trade; with sales of $49.5 billion, and the 2nd-fastest sales growth rate in the country (77%) over a five-year period. Most wholesale establishments were concentrated in Maricopa and Pima Counties. Retail trade was conducted by 23,469 establishments in 1997, with sales of $44.9 billion, and the fourth highest growth rate (53%). Automotive dealers accounted for 11% of establishments; food stores, 9%; and eating and drinking places, 32%. Food stores sold a total of $8.8 billion in 1997, while general merchandise stores sold $5.3 billion. In 1998, exports from Arizona amounted to $11.4 billion.