Thanks to the rapid growth in e-commerce and Internet sales, the retail real estate investment trust (“REIT”) industry is going through a sieving phase, with only the most competent firms managing to survive the race. Amid such intense competition, few big-shot mall owners like Simon Property Group Inc. (SPG – Analyst Report) have been able to withstand the pressure.

From a diverse range of retail offerings to several efforts for supporting the omni-channel retailing concept, this Indianapolis-based retail REIT has gone great lengths to woo customers, and drive in more footfalls at its properties. And it has its fundamentals intact with a robust balance sheet position and above-average net operating income (“NOI”). Besides, the dividend growth also makes it a good choice for investors.