Wal-Mart to exclusively sell Blu-ray DVDs, not HD DVDs

NEW YORK, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Friday said it plans to exclusively back the Blu-ray high definition movie format, the latest blow to the rival HD DVD camp backed by Toshiba Corp (6502.T: Quote, Profile, Research).

In a statement on it Web site, Wal-Mart said that over the next few months it will phase out sales of HD DVD systems and discs, and by June will sell only Blu-ray products.

The decision marks the third retailer this week to turn its back on HD DVD in favor of Blu-ray, which was developed by Sony Corp (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research). (Reporting by Franklin Paul; editing by Phil Berlowitz)