Lets not even get into Britney. Beyonce will probably sell more first week, and that is with the support of two HARD flops (so far). Britney had a big first single and a big second single emerging when the album dropped.
Beyonce basically, like Jennifer Hudson back in March, sold off of her name. Lets not pretend Girls or BTINH made anyone interested or had any impact (so far - at least for BTINH).
I think these sales are great.
Release Countdown and it will soar to Platinum.