The classic British deckchair has received a high-tech makeover for the 21st century, featuring a built-in phone charger, solar panels, and a horn to scare off seagulls. Designed by PayPal, the prototype aims to cater to modern sunbathers who cannot resist shopping online while at the beach.
The upgraded deckchair includes a battery pack, drinks holder, and a built-in fan. The redesign follows a survey of 2,000 adults, which found that one in five Brits shop online while soaking up the sun, with clothes and fashion items being the most popular purchases. Nearly a fifth spend between £51 and £75 per beach browsing session, and some splash out up to £200.
However, the research highlighted obstacles to seamless beach shopping, including phones overheating, patchy WiFi, lack of shade, and sand getting into charging ports. Dr. Amna Khan, a consumer behaviour and retail expert, said: 'Smartphones have transformed nearly every aspect of our lives... This digital shift has made shopping anytime, anywhere second nature – even on the beach.'
Dave Jones, head of consumer at PayPal, added: 'We can see from our research that more and more people are bringing their phones to the beach, and their shopping habits too. That's why we've reimagined the classic deckchair with a modern twist.' The tech-enhanced deckchair will be available for visitors to try in Brighton from August 9th. PayPal is also offering a three per cent cashback incentive to help shoppers save money.
