Have you ever been headbanging around the local Tescos around Christmas eve, feeling stretched to bits and generally a bit sorry for yourself. Wouldn't it be nice if Ireland's answer to Beyonce rocked in and roared something along the lines of "Fancy loads of free stuff?"

That is exactly what happened to a load of random shoppers in a Walmart outlet in Tewksbury, Massachusetts over the weekend. Beyonce arrived, purchased herself (literally, she purchased a copy of her album), and a doll for her daughter Blu Ivy, before wishing everyone there a Happy Christmas over the PA and then showering everyone there with approximately 750 gift cards worth $50 each. Now that's how you sell an album at Christmas.