Tractor Supply (NASDAQ: TSCO) carved a profitable niche for itself by serving the needs of the rural lifestyle. Over the last five years, the stock has soundly beaten the S&P 500 index by a wide margin, returning nearly 200% to shareholders. 

But it hasn't been smooth sailing. Tractor Supply reported lower-than-expected comparable sales growth in the last quarter. It's also wrestling with higher cost inflation, which made earnings results a bit bumpy.  

Still, there is one important reason investors should consider this retail stock a solid long-term investment option.

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Source Fool.com