According to the 1997 Census of Wholesale Trade, Alabama had 7,476 wholesale trade establishments (5.8% higher than in 1992), with sales of $43.3 billion. Retail establishments numbered 25,586 with sales of $37.6 billion.
The leading types of retail businesses by number of establishments were eating and drinking places (5,900), food stores (3,200), and miscellaneous retail (4,500). Alcoholic beverages, except for beer, are sold in ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) stores, run by the state. Prohibition is by local option; 26 of the 67 counties were dry in 1994, but some dry counties had wet cities.
Exporters located in Alabama exported $6.4 billion in merchandise during 1998.