NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc 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.

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 .

(Reporting by Franklin Paul; editing by Phil Berlowitz)
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