Target (TGT) opened its first discount store in 1962 and is now one of America's largest retailers with annual sales of $70 billion and more than 1,800 stores across the U.S. Target’s stores focus on convenient one-stop shopping and competitive discount prices, offering a broad range of products including beauty & household essentials (24% of sales), food & beverage (20%), apparel & accessories (20%), home furnishings & decor (19%), and hardlines (furniture, appliances, etc. — 17% of sales).The company has increased its dividend for 46 consecutive years, making Target a dividend aristocrat and setting it up to be crowned a dividend king in 2022.

Founded in 1945, Walmart (WMT) is the world’s largest retailer with more than $500 billion in annual revenue and over 11,000 stores. About half of Walmart’s stores are located in international markets, where the company has had a presence since 1991. However, the majority of Walmart’s sales and profits are derived from the company’s U.S. stores (64% of revenue) and Sam’s Club (12%).Walmart sells just about everything. From groceries (56% of U.S. sales) to health & wellness products (11%) to general merchandise (32%), the company’s strategy is to be the low-price leader in every product category.In addition to its brick-and-mortar operations, Walmart's website offers millions of products that can be shipped or picked up at one of the retailer's thousands [...]

Preferred Apartment Communities (APTS) was founded in 2011. The REIT focuses on multifamily buildings (e.g. apartments), student housing properties, office buildings, and grocery-anchored retail centers. It also originates real estate loans to developers, receiving interest payments and the option to purchase finished projects.

Founded in 1883, Kroger (KR) is America's second largest grocer behind only Walmart with over $120 billion in annual sales. The company operates over 2,700 supermarkets, many with pharmacies and fuel centers on premise. Kroger's stores are in 35 states and serve more than 11 million shoppers each day. In addition to traditional grocery shopping, Kroger also offers convenient pickup and delivery options to almost all households within the company's reach.