Chicago is the leading wholesaling center of the Midwest. In 1997, the state's 24,757 wholesale establishments had sales of $285 billion. Chicago is an especially important trade center for furniture, house wares, and apparel. The state's 65,254 retail stores recorded sales of $112 billion in 1997. The principal retail store groups were automotive dealers, 12%; food stores, 10%; and eating and drinking places, 33%. Leading Illinois-based retailing companies in 1999 were Sears Roebuck, Household International, McDonald's, and Walgreen.
Illinois ranked 6th among the states in exports with estimated exports of $29 billion in 1998. Export growth was led by industrial machinery and computers with peripheral equipment.