Beyoncé is marking the 20th anniversary of her album "B'Day", which coincides with her 45th birthday, with an elaborate deluxe release including remixed, remastered and previously unreleased tracks. Alongside a $150 vinyl pre-order, she is also selling a limited-edition "Bee Keeper Collector's Box" priced at $948.01, prompting a mixed reaction from fans and observers over the cost of what is essentially an empty container.

The box, limited to 500 units, measures 18 by 14.75 by 14 inches, is handcrafted from solid pine and lined with green velvet, and comes with a faux gator-skin leather carrying strap with gold hardware — but no actual vinyl records. Pre-orders remain open, with some fans proudly sharing confirmation emails while others have criticised the release as exploitative. The item has drawn comparisons to Jay-Z's $1,500 "30th Anniversary Collector's Crate" for "Reasonable Doubt", released earlier this summer, which does include all 13 of his solo albums on vinyl; neither box has yet sold out.