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Target refuses to sell 'Beyoncé' due to iTunes-first launch

Target refuses to sell 'Beyoncé' due to iTunes-first launch

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target store (Northfoto / Shutterstock.com)
target store (Northfoto / Shutterstock.com)

Beyoncé's stealthy new album is a digital smash hit, but one major retailer is skipping the party for the CD version. Target says that it won't sell Beyoncé because the record was released on iTunes first before making its way to retail store shelves. "At Target we focus on offering our guests a wide assortment of physical CDs, and when a new album is available digitally before it is available physically, it impacts demand and sales projections," a spokesperson said to Billboard.

Severing strong ties

"While there are many aspects that contribute to our approach and we have appreciated partnering with Beyoncé in the past, we are primarily focused on offering CDs that will be available in a physical format at the same time as all other formats," continued the spokesperson. "At this time, Target will not be carrying Beyoncé's new self-titled album Beyoncé." The album is expected to see wide release at brick-and-mortar retailers by Friday December 20th, one week after the iTunes launch.

As Billboard notes, Target is severing some strong ties that it had built up with Beyoncé in recent years. Previous studio album 4 was offered in a Target-exclusive version with six extra tracks, and an accompanying TV commercial saw the singer proclaim "I put so much into my new album, and only Target gives you all of it."