Aldi Australia is selling a controversial beach item for $70

It was deemed one of last season’s most divisive summer accessories, and now Aldi has released its own beach cabana just in time for Christmas.

It was considered one of the most controversial items of the summer, and now one major supermarket has released its own version, just in time for Christmas.

Aldi is selling a striped blue and white beach cabana for $69.99 as part of the supermarket giant’s Special Buys range, set to be released on December 23.

Essentially an open-air tent, the wildly popular beach accessory is typically seen on the sand at popular holiday hotpots across Europe.

Aldi has released beach cabanas for a fraction of the price. Picture: Supplied

“As Aussies flock to the beaches to beat the summer heat, our affordable, quick and convenient Beach Cabanas, hitting our iconic middle aisles next weekend, are sure to be a hit,” an Aldi spokesperson said.

“So while the temperatures might be rising, for just $69.99 for this Beach Cabana, one thing you can be sure of is that our prices will remain low.”

Last year, social media was flooded with photos and videos of the cabanas taking over Aussie beaches at destinations such as the Gold Coast, Queensland, and in Perth, Western Australia.

One clip from @viralqueenliv, saw a beach covered in a sea of colourful tents.

“CoolCabanas taking over the Gold Coast,” text over the clip said, referring to a popular brand of the beach shelter which retails for around $189.

Later in the clip, the poster complained they were taking up “prime real estate”.

But many social media users were quick to defend the new trend, calling it a positive step for sun safety.

Others said they had seen the canopies dotting shorelines in places such as Sydney, Newcastle and Noosa, commenting Aussie beaches were starting to look “more and more like a European beach these days.”

The cabanas took over the beaches last the summer. Picture: TikTok

Other items in the Aldi Special Buys summer range include a women’s sun hat, beach shorts, swimsuits, tankini, beach pants, beach dress and a beach shirt.

There is also a premium beach umbrella, which costs $24.99, adult clogs with a price tag of $6.99 and a sand-free cabana floor towel for $59.99.

The founder of CoolCabanas, Queensland architect Mark Fraser, told news.com.au last summer he has worked hard to create an “amazing product” and “strong brand” that resonates with Australians.“It’s fair to say my design makes shade easy and cool, which is helping to protect Australian families and reduce Melanoma rates (which one Australian dies from every 6 hours),” he said.

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer diagnoses in the world, with 2000 people dying every year from the disease.

The Cancer Council recommends that, while in the sun, Aussies should be using sunscreen that is at least SPF30+ in protection.

It also recommends wearing covered clothing, putting on a hat and sunglasses, as well as finding a spot in the shade to stay sun safe.

Originally published as Aldi Australia is selling a controversial beach item for $70