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Additional details about Power Pump will be released Tuesday morning and certain restrictions apply, but the major differences from Safeway's old program appear to be in the fact that the rewards are cumulative, they can be earned when selected gift cards are purchased and certain prescription purchases will also apply.

With the price of gas up more than 30 percent in the past year and now above $4 a gallon nationally, businesses are turning to gas card promotions like this to get consumers' attention and increase sales.

One source told the paper that Blockbuster "verified the long-term benefits of a deal," and added that a there was a "real opportunity" to cut costs in combining the two chains' operations.

"Management didn't really put its case in front of shareholders yet," the source told the paper.

The video-rental company in April disclosed that it had offered to buy Circuit City in February for $6 to $8 a share, or up to $1.3 billion.

However, Blockbuster Chief Executive Jim Keyes had cited "market conditions" as a reason for withdrawing the offer and said the deal was not in the best interests of its shareholders.