Why Beyonce went shopping in Walmart to buy her own album

What better way to stick two fingers up at those who have snubbed you than with a cosy shopping session with their nearest competitor?

Why Beyonce went to Walmart to buy her own album (Beyonce/Facebook)

You'd think she'd have a few spare copies lying around the penthouse or something, wouldn't you? And a personal assistant to go and fetch the groceries.

Which is probably why shoppers at the Tewksbury branch of Walmart in Massachusetts were bowled over the see Beyoncé trawling the aisles of their local supermarket for a copy of her own album on Friday night. And a toy doll for Blue Ivy while she was at it, too.

But the "Drunk In Love" singer wasn't there to pick up a spare pack of toilet roll - she had bigger fish to fry. Those fish being Amazon and Target, who were so incensed by the surprise release of her exclusive iTunes album, the titular BEYONCÉ, that they refused to stock her record.

"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," Target said in a statement about its decision. "At this time, Target will not be carrying Beyoncé's new self-titled album."

Meanwhile, Amazon are apparently mad that Sony Music Entertainment omitted their pre-sales deal in order to go ahead with the secret release plan with iTunes. Therefore, it is currently only offering the singer's album as a digital download.

So, what better way to stick two fingers up at those who have snubbed you than with a record-breaking 800,000 iTunes sales and a cosy shopping session with their nearest competitor, Walmart?

Not only did Beyoncé play the politician’s game at the store (yes, she did stop to kiss a baby's forehead on the way round), but she played Santa as well, showering shoppers with 750 gift cards worth $50 (£30) each.

So, what better way to stick two fingers up at those who have snubbed you than with a cosying-up shopping session with their nearest competitor, Walmart? (Beyonce/Facebook)

Presumably so they could spend them on her new album. Or a bottle of her perfume. Or something.

"I was terrified. I was so scared. I already envisioned like the worst things that could happen,2 Beyoncé said, not of her trip to Walmart, but instead on the guerrilla-release of her fifth studio album.

"I'm very private and I'm very respectful, and I think it just took me no longer being someone's child - once I became a mother, I felt like I could tear those fourth walls and I just felt like it was time. I completely feel liberated," she added, in response to fan's questions in a Q&A on Instagram yesterday.

And it wasn't the first unusual Beyoncé sighting this month, either. A few weeks ago, the star ruffled feathers when she wore a fox fur coat to a vegan restaurant.

The singer was spotted wearing a £2,915 Christopher Kane parka with a real fur collar as she accompanied husband Jay Z to a vegan meal at Native Foods in Los Angeles.

The couple apparently dined on an entirely plant based menu of marinated kale salad, Indian curried lentils, corn tacos with chipotle butternut squash, and vegan chocolate truffles, TMZ reports.

Anne Hathaway and singer Ariana Grande were also seen eating at the same restaurant.

The sighting came just a day after Jay Z revealed his pledge to take on the 22 Days challenge, which aims to change people-s dietary and exercise habits by encouraging them to omit all animal-based products - including dairy, honey, and eggs - from their diets.