US retail goliath Walmart will start selling Apple's iPad tablet computer in hundreds of its stores and at its website on Friday.

US retail goliath Walmart will start selling Apple's iPad tablet computer in hundreds of its stores and at its website on Friday.

Walmart said that iPads will be available in more than 2,300 of its stores by mid-November.

"We're pleased to give customers access to one of the most sought-after consumer electronics products this year," the Arkansas-based retail chain said Tuesday in an email response to an AFP inquiry.

The chain known for warehouse stores and discount pricing will be selling iPads for the same prices as Apple real-world and online shops.

The cheapest costs 499 dollars while the top model is priced at 829 dollars.

US retail powerhouse Target and leading online shop Amazon.com began selling iPads earlier this month as stores move to attract shoppers with an Apple gadget expected to be a popular holiday gift purchase. The touchscreen computers are also available through consumer electronics stores.

Apple channeling iPads to US retail shops comes as production has begun to catch up with demand that sizzled in the months after the gadgets launched in April.