<p>Fortune Magazine has unveiled its list of this year’s most profitable companies. Here’s a quick snapshot of the highest five retailers from the list…<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">For the full list, see the link below.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://fortune.com/fortune500" target="_new"> Fortune 500 2014 </a><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B>#1. Wal-Mart (ranked #1 previously)</b>: Wal-Mart once again remained king of the hill this year, beating Exxon Mobil for the second year in a row. For fiscal year 2014, Wal-Mart’s net sales totaled $473.1 billion, up 1.6% from the year-earlier. Although sales grew domestically, the expiration of a payroll tax cut, reductions in the U.S. food stamp program, and poor winter weather hurt its results. The retailer is continuing plans to open small-format stores in the U.S. along with expanding its online services.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B>#19. Costco (ranked #22 previously)</b>: Costco surpassed a milestone in sales for the first time ever in 2013, finally crossing $100 billion thanks to an increase in membership fees. This retailer is continuing its expansion throughout the U.S. with a dozen new warehouses and several more abroad.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B>#24. Kroger (ranked #23 previously)</b>: Kroger recently completed its $2.5 billion acquisition of Harris Teeter, adding 227 stores to its massive 2,414 store portfolio. Kroger earned $1.52 billion in earnings for 2013 and expects continued growth between 10% and 14% for 2014.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B>#35. Amazon (ranked #49 previously)</b>: Amazon reported sales of $74.5 billion and $274 million in earnings last year. With further investments into warehouses and grocery delivery, this company is going to be a force to be reckoned with in retail.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B> #36. Target (ranked #36 previously)</b>: It was a tough year for Target. The company faced a massive data breach and a faltering Canadian expansion that lost $1 billion and overall 34% drop in profits. With new executives and initiatives in place for 2014, it’ll be a long road ahead.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Check out which retailers, foodservice companies, and other businesses made the Fortune 500!</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p> <B>#63.</b> Sysco (ranked #65 previously)<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B>#67.</b> Safeway (ranked #62 previously)<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B>#94.</b> Supervalu (ranked #86 previously)<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B>#104.</b> Publix (ranked #108 previously)<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B>#133.</b> US Foods<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B>#197.</b> Monsanto (ranked #206 previously)<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B>#218.</b> Whole Foods (ranked #232 previously)<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B>#220.</b> C.H. Robinson (ranked #237 previously)<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B>#319.</b> Darden Restaurants (ranked #328 previously)<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <B>#427.</b> United Natural Foods (ranked #474 previously)</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p> Congratulations to all who made it to the Fortune 500!</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://fortune.com/fortune500" target="_new"> Fortune 500 2014 </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
