Amazon will join Target in the “we will not carry Beyonce’s new album” club.
While Amazon.com is carrying the MP3 version of the album, the online merchant is apparently not stocking the CD version of the album, according to label sources and a check of the site. The album is available, however, via third-party sellers in the Amazon marketplace.
While most merchants have chosen to carry the Beyonce album, which streeted today after iTunes’ week-long exclusive window, they aren’t happy about the preferential treatment given to Apple. Sources say Sony and Columbia still managed to ship over 500,000 units of the CD by today’s street date.
Meanwhile, in addition to being annoyed at the Beyonce exclusive, Amazon is reportedly still steaming that Sony Music Entertainment handed down an edict that Amazon, or any other retailer for that matter, couldn’t pre-sell the Beyonce title. Pre-sales of new titles has proven to be an effective marketing tool and the Sony edict was interpreted as further protecting the iTunes exclusive window.
According to sources, Amazon may be considering further reprisals against Sony Music Entertainment and Columbia down the line, although conversations are said to be still ongoing between the label and the merchant.
Source: Global14
