Wal-Mart to test movie downloads

updated 7:33 a.m. ET Nov. 29, 2006

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is edging into selling video downloads by offering buyers of the "Superman Returns" DVD a chance to buy downloads of the same movie, beginning Wednesday.

The world's largest retailer said Tuesday that shoppers have the choice of paying $1.97 to download the movie to a portable device, such as Apple's iPod or Microsoft's Zune, or paying $2.97 to download it to a laptop or desktop computer.

For $3.97, customers can download the movie for both formats.

"This unique Superman Returns physical/digital DVD combination not only marks our first step into the video downloads market, but gives our customers the best of both worlds in movie entertainment," said Kevin Swint, Wal-Mart's divisional merchandise manager for digital media.

"They have the DVD as a collectible and for viewing on their home theaters, plus the freedom to download and watch the movie on multiple devices."

Each copy of "Superman Returns" will contain a sticker with a promotional code, directing the customer to Wal-Mart's Web site.  There, the customer can buy and download the movie.

Wal-Mart said it will test other DVD bundles that contain the download option in the coming months.

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