OPINION
U.S. consumers spent a record-breaking $11.8 billion in online sales on Black Friday and another $14.25 billion on Cyber Monday. According to the National Retail Federation, a record 202.9 million consumers shopped during that timeframe. The numbers don’t lie: here in New Jersey and across the country, the holidays are not the holidays without the logistics industry.
These billions of dollars would not be flowing into our economy if not for the port workers, truck drivers, and warehouse and distribution center workers who make next-day possible. New Jersey is the epicenter of this entire supply chain. Over one million New Jerseyans work hard every day to drive the logistics industry, benefiting millions more. Their dedication not only results in happy holidays for countless families but in strengthening the state’s economic future.
This new holiday data – which showcases how critical the Transportation, Logistics and Distribution (TLD) industry has become in our lives – comes after the release of a new report showing that existing warehouse and distribution centers in New Jersey support over 764,000 direct jobs and more than 1.35 million total jobs in the state.
The report, released last month by The Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) at Rutgers University, highlights how essential New Jersey’s warehouse and distribution centers – core pillars of the logistics industry – are to the state’s economy and overall prosperity.
In addition to the employment figures, the report found that warehouses and distribution centers in New Jersey annually support over $112.8 billion in personal income; more than $295.8 billion in business activity; and more than $33.8 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenues, with local and state tax revenues of nearly $11.3 billion and federal tax revenues of almost $22.6 billion.
Logistics – and the holidays – are about more than just economic data though. Our days seem to be packed with an ever-growing list of tasks, from work to home maintenance to dropping off the kids at a friend’s house or the next school event. In short, people are busy, constantly.
That frantic energy is accelerated a hundredfold during the holiday season. Before you know it, you’ve got 48 hours to purchase those gifts, to get the ingredients you need and replace any broken twinkle lights.
The ports make that possible.
Warehouses make that possible.
Truck drivers make that possible.
The logistics industry lets us secure the things we need without tacking on an additional hour or two to our day that we just don’t have. That ease allows us to handle all the other things life throws our way this time of year. It lets us spend more time with our families.
Our coalition, Circulate NJ, recognizes that despite these numerous benefits, the industry is unfairly represented. There is a tendency to match misinformation with sensationalism, creating a false sense of doom any time a logistics project – be it a warehouse or a data center or port improvements – is proposed. My fellow New Jerseyans – you are too savvy to fall for such an obvious trap.
Most importantly, enjoy this holiday season. Spend time and laugh with loved ones. Bask in the decorations around your neighborhood. Devout time to old and new traditions. And, when you get a chance, thank a warehouse worker or truck driver or your delivery person.
After all, the holidays are not the holidays without the logistics industry.
David Greek is Chair of Circulate NJ, a coalition that seeks to inform and educate the public on the numerous benefits of the logistics, and Managing Partner of Greek Real Estate Partners
