Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is starting their download service with a super bang by offering buyers of the new Superman Returns DVD a chance to buy downloads of the same movie. We’re not entirely sure why they chose to start this way (since if you own the movie, why would you want to pay more to download it?) but it’s all about test-marketing. Perhaps customers will buy one as a gift, then download a copy for themselves...

The world's largest retailer announced that shoppers who purchased the DVD 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, the indecisive customers can download the movie to both!

"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." Okay… so that’s what they had in mind here. Personally, we think it’ll be more of a two-for-one deal during the gift giving season.

Each copy of Superman Returns contains a sticker with a promotional code, directing the customer to Wal-Mart's website where they can buy and download the movie at their leisure. More DVD download bundles will be tested in the coming months, so keep your eyes peeled!