With one of the nation's busiest ports, one of the busiest airports (Newark), the largest length of highways and railroads per state area, and many regional distribution centers, New Jersey is an important commercial state.
In 1997, New Jersey had 19,595 wholesale establishments, with sales of $233 billion. Retail sales were conducted by 49,551 establishments and totaled $82 billion in 1997. The major categories of establishments were food stores, 13%; automotive dealers, 11%; and restaurants and bars, 30%. The state's wholesale trade is largely concentrated near manufacturing centers and along the New Jersey Turnpike.
Bergen, Union, and Essex counties accounted for more than one half of wholesale trade. Other large shopping centers are in Burlington, Eatontown, Lawrenceville, Livingston, Menlo Park, and Woodbridge. Three of the nation's largest supermarket chains have their headquarters in New Jersey: Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. (A&P) in Montvale, Supermarkets General (Pathmark) in Woodbridge, and Grand Union in Elmwood Park. The toy store chain Toys R Us is headquartered in Rochelle Park.
Port Newark and the Elizabeth Marine Terminal, foreign-trade zones operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, have been modernized and enlarged in recent years, and together account for most of the cargo unloaded in New York Harbor. In 1998, New Jersey exported $15 billion to foreign countries. In 1999, the figure was $23 billion, ranking 9th in the nation. The leading exports were chemicals, electronics, and industrial machinery. Most exports went to Canada, Japan, the UK, and Mexico.