The world's biggest retailer is reportedly moving into the online music business.

Citing sources close to the company, The Wall Street Journal said Wal-Mart will launch an online music store as soon as next week with prices that are expected to be lower than competitors'.

The retailer's Internet unit is teaming with Geneva Media, an affiliate company of Anderson News, which distributes books and magazines to Wal-Mart outlets. Another Anderson affiliate supplies compact discs to the retailer.

Walmart.com's music store will have about 200,000 song titles available for downloading. They are expected to cost less than the customary 99 cents a song charged by competitors such as Apple Computer's iTunes Music Store.

The field has gotten crowded in the cost-per-song download business, with iTunes expanding recently to Windows users, the rebirth of a legitimate Napster, and other services such as pressplay.

Wal-Mart's music-sharing service is expected to be heavy with high-profile country-music stars.