CUPERTINO, Calif., April 3, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple(R) today announced that the iTunes(R) Store (http://www.itunes.com) surpassed Wal-Mart to become the number one music retailer in the US, based on the latest data from the NPD Group*. With over 50 million customers, iTunes has sold over four billion songs and features the world's largest music catalog of over six million songs.

'We launched iTunes less than five years ago, and it has now become the number one music retailer in the world,' said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of iTunes. 'We are thrilled, and would like to thank all of our customers for helping us reach this incredible milestone.'

*Based on data from market research firm the NPD Group's MusicWatch survey that captures consumer reported past week unit purchases and counts one CD representing 12 tracks, excluding wireless transactions. The iTunes Store became the largest music retailer in the US based on the amount of music sold during January and February 2008.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

(C) 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh and iTunes are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Apple