When you think of retail in New Jersey, what comes to mind? Most likely it’s bustling big-box stores like Walmart, Target, or Costco. Maybe you think of cozy mom-and-pop shops in small-town downtowns or national chains like Wawa and Walgreens. What you probably don’t think of is Avis—yes, the car rental company.
And yet, according to a recent breakdown by Lou Russo from 94.3 The Point, Avis is currently the most common retail location in the entire state of New Jersey. Not a grocery store. Not a clothing outlet. Not a pharmacy. A rental car service.
This curious bit of data has many New Jerseyans scratching their heads. After all, Avis isn’t exactly top-of-mind when the average person thinks of “retail.” So how did it come to dominate the Garden State?
A Retail Twist No One Expected
Retail typically refers to stores where customers go to buy goods—whether clothing, food, or electronics. Even with the broadest definition, most people don’t place car rental businesses under that umbrella. But technically, they qualify.
The U.S. Census Bureau classifies automotive rental and leasing services under the umbrella of retail trade, which helps explain how Avis managed to sneak into this list in the first place. Every individual Avis location is counted as a separate retail point of service.
And with dozens—if not hundreds—of rental locations scattered throughout the state, it’s easy to see how those numbers add up fast.
Still, it leaves a lot of people wondering—why Avis? Why is it so dominant in a state that doesn’t seem like an obvious car rental hotbed?
Is New Jersey a Travel Magnet After All?
At first glance, New Jersey doesn’t seem like a major vacation destination. Sure, we’ve got the Jersey Shore, Atlantic City, Six Flags Great Adventure, and a few scenic escapes like the Delaware Water Gap. But it’s not often listed among the top U.S. travel hotspots.
However, when you take a closer look, the puzzle pieces start to fit. New Jersey is home to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), one of the busiest airports in the country.
With millions of travelers passing through EWR each year—many of whom need a car to get around—it makes sense for Avis to have a strong presence in and around the area.
And it’s not just Newark. New Jersey is packed with regional airports, densely populated cities, and a web of highways that connect travelers to nearby New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. The state’s central location and dense transit networks create the perfect storm for rental car demand.
It’s Not Just About Tourists
Interestingly, the demand for rental cars isn’t always driven by tourists. Many locals rely on car rentals for various short-term needs. Some may not own a car because they live in cities with strong public transit. Others may rent cars when their own vehicles are in the shop or to save mileage on long trips.
Businesses frequently rely on car rentals for traveling employees or out-of-town visitors.
In short, Avis’s dominance might be less about New Jersey being a vacation destination and more about its role as a logistical hub. Being wedged between two major metro areas—New York City and Philadelphia—means a lot of movement happens through the Garden State. And movement, quite often, requires wheels.
A Case of Misunderstood Retail
Even after understanding the logistics, some New Jersey residents still struggle to accept that a car rental company could top a retail list.
As Lou Russo pointed out in his article, it’s not just the fact that Avis ranks highest—it’s how counterintuitive it feels. When asked to guess the most common retail store in New Jersey, most people would likely guess a gas station, coffee shop, or a supermarket—not a car rental chain.
But the data doesn’t lie. From a retail perspective, Avis’s strategy of planting locations throughout urban areas, suburbs, and near transportation hubs appears to be working.
According to the article from 94.3 The Point, which first reported the data, “Avis is more accessible than many people realize, with locations in strip malls, shopping centers, and even standalone kiosks.” This widespread presence makes Avis count as both retail and ubiquitous—even if it flies under the radar for many.
Retail in New Jersey: Broader Than You Think
This little-known fact about Avis sheds light on how we define “retail” and how consumer habits influence retail statistics in subtle ways. While we often think of retail as purely focused on tangible goods, services—especially ones people rely on regularly—can make just as big of an impact.
In the end, Avis’s surprising retail reign is a testament to New Jersey’s role as a crossroads state, where mobility, accessibility, and transit come together in complex ways. It’s also a reminder to never assume you know what’s most common until you see the data.
So next time you drive past a quiet little Avis storefront in your New Jersey town, remember—it’s not just another car rental. It’s the most common retail presence in the state.
For more details on this surprising ranking, check out 94.3 The Point’s original coverage.
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