No one is discounting the importance of sun safety, the cabana critics counter, but they say that's just a convenient excuse for many of the people using the beach tents.

Once confined to specialty shops, items such as truffles and caviar are now commonly found in mainstream retail outlets, including major chains such as Carrefour and discount stores such as Lidl.

But she added: "Shoppers will likely face higher prices and fewer discounts in the coming months."

TheSeniorList, a website resource for older people, has a regularly updated list of restaurants that offer discounts and freebies, but perks may differ from location to location, so call before you go.

Shoppers in China are getting rare discounts on iPhones as Apple faces growing competition from local brands.