Beyonce New Album: Target Refuses to Sell Surprise Release

Beyonce's new album may be selling like hotcakes but one US retailer is giving it the cold shoulder.

Despite collaborating with the Single Ladies hitmaker in the past, Target has announced that it will not be selling her latest studio effort in its stores.

Fans looking to buy a physical copy of the star's record-breaking 5th album when it goes on general release will have to look elsewhere after the retailer took a stand against the digital-first release.

According to Target spokesperson Erica Julkowski, Queen B's decision to unveil the record without any warning or promotion would have negatively impacted demand and sales projection.

"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," she told Billboard.

"While there are many aspects that contribute to our approach and we have appreciated partnering with Beyonce 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. At this time, Target will not be carrying Beyonce's new self-titled album 'Beyonce'."

The Single Ladies singer dropped the self-titled album, complete with 14 new songs and 17 new music videos, in a game-changing move on 13 December.

As bonus material has been announced for the physical release, a customer would have no incentive to purchase the CD at a brick-and-mortar retailer over an online purchase.

Earlier this week Beyonce's self-titled album become the fastest-selling ever on iTunes after shifting nearly 830,000 digital copies in just three days.

It features collaborations with stars including her husband Jay Z, Drake, Frank Ocean, former bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, and even her daughter Blue Ivy and has received rave reviews.

iTunes has exclusive access to the album until it goes on general release on 21 December.