Beyoncé reaches #5 in UK albums chart after just 48 hours on sale

Beyoncé shocked the music world on Friday (13 December) when she released a surprise new album digitally without any marketing. Well, such is Bey’s mass appeal that the record has debutted in the Top 5 of the UK Albums Chart despite its late and limited release.

The album is an iTunes exclusive until 20 December, when it will be releasing physically worldwide, yet the self-titled effort still managed to take #5 spot this week, shifting nearly 68,000 copies.

“It is a great achievement by Beyoncé to make such an impact so quickly, after just two days sales – and especially with only the digital edition available,” says Martin Talbot of the Official Charts Company. ”Few (if any) albums have sold as many digital copies in such a short space of time.”

Robbie Williams took number one spot this week, whilst One Direction, Gary Barlow and Olly Murs remained elsewhere in the top 5.

Meanwhile, Beyoncé is expected to take top spot this week in America’s Billboard charts.