April Fool's: Russian mega-yacht discounts, chicken-flavoured Chuckles and more
Love or hate the tradition, here’s a round-up of interesting pranks concocted by retail brands this year.
Woolworths
Woolies announced the launch of a rather unsavoury new snack, combining two of its most popular products to create Rotisserie Chicken-flavoured Chuckles.
We’re excited to announce our newest Chuckles creation – Rotisserie Chicken-flavoured Chuckles!
— Woolworths SA (@WOOLWORTHS_SA) April 1, 2022
Think malt balls infused with delectable rotisserie chicken flavour, enrobed in rich, creamy milk chocolate. Slightly savoury, complemented by deliciously sweet… It’s a winner! pic.twitter.com/kW9dmtfHGL
The post was later edited to say “ONLY JOKING! Our Chuckles Rotisserie chicken flavoured malted puffs in milk chocolate were just an idea to make you smile.”
OneDayOnly
OneDayOnly’s April Fool’s gag saw the online daily deals retailer advertising a 140m-long ‘Oligarch’s Megayacht’ for R10m, priced down from R100m. The prank was a clever reference to Russian oligarchs – rich business people who rapidly accumulated wealth in the 1990s following the dissolution of the Soviet Union – who are being sanctioned and are losing their fortunes due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The ad read, “It’s 140 [metres] long and jam packed with the kind of luxuries only Autocrats can dream of. If you’re not welcome in Europe, no problem, with a range of 7000 miles you can sail the world with 40 of your closest Oligarch Mates in this floating resort. You could even sail it from The Crimea to South Africa where you’d be sure to get a warm welcome from your old Comrades.
“You could even host them for a ‘not an invasion or a war at all’ party (BOYB). The mini submarine (and especially the 4 tenders) will be sure to get your guests excited. Think how amazed they’ll be when you turn the dance floor into a (fire)pool with one touch of a gold-plated button.
“Available for collection in Marina di Carrara in northern Tuscany (if you can find a morally-ambivalent crew).”
The prank was for a good cause, however, as shoppers were encouraged to support the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine by making a financial donation to disaster relief NGO Gift of the Givers. Those looking to donate had the option of donating R50, R100, R200 or R600.
“This is a gag deal in celebration of April Fool's Day. Instead, by purchasing this deal, you will be making a donation to a good cause,” the ad stated.
Game
Massmart retailer Game took to its social media platforms on Friday urging followers to swipe (Instagram), drag (Facebook) and tweet (Twitter) only to be presented with the South African ‘twah’ hand gesture - also called the ‘finger purse’ or ‘sousies’ depending on what area or culture you’re from.
“Game’s got something for you…” began the post on Instagram. “Swipe to reveal something special,” the caption continued.
Fairview
Wine farm and cheese manufacturer Fairview jokingly revealed a new cannabis-infused camembert called ‘Muncheese’ rich in both CBD and THC, it announced on Facebook.
“After attaining a grower’s license from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) at the back end of 2021, Fairview prepared and planted a 2ha field with cannabis sativa. The majority of the yield was to be exported and utilized in the production of various medicinal marijuana products. Enter the Fairview goat herd…
“Early one morning the herd of milking goats escaped from their paddock and made their way to the hidden cannabis plantation. They grazed excessively and within a few hours, the once thriving 2ha cannabis field, had essentially disappeared!" Fairview quipped.
It said that side effects of consuming the cheese included lowered pain, lowered anxiety, increased sense of humour and colourful hallucinations. “As luck would have it, a loophole in the legislation governing dairy production allows Fairview to produce products from the cannabis-infused goats’ milk!”
Oros
Beverage brand Oros shared on Friday that it was expanding in the breakfast category with the launch of Oros-flavoured flakes.
“OH OH OH Yes! We know, you’ve been asking us for a while now and we’re about to deliver. Now available at your nearest retailer. Sheshisa mngani, stock is limited! #OrosFindTheFun #JustAddFun #OrosJustAddFun,” the brand said in a Twitter post.
OH OH OH Yes! We know, you’ve been asking us for a while now and we’re about to deliver.
— Oros_SA (@sa_oros) March 31, 2022
Now available at your nearest retailer.
Sheshisa mngani, stock is limited! #OrosFindTheFun #JustAddFun #OrosJustAddFun pic.twitter.com/B5IPizxpQo
Pizza Hut
Quick-service restaurant franchise Pizza Hut South Africa debuted pizza deliveries via jetpack.
“Keep an eye on the sky, pizza fans! You asked and we listened! Your favourite #PizzaHut pizza now has a jetpack delivery option! Order online at http://pizzahut.co.za or on our app! #NowThatsDelivering,” the brand announced on Twitter.
Keep an eye on the sky, pizza fans! ���� You asked and we listened! Your favourite #PizzaHut pizza now has a jetpack delivery option! Order online at https://t.co/iezoqve7h9 or on our app! #NowThatsDelivering pic.twitter.com/rnrWqZy5jY
— PizzaHutza (@PIZZAHUTSA) April 1, 2022
Brands abroad
Retailers and brands abroad also shared in on the April Fool’s pranks this year. Take a look at some of the hoaxes below.
Meet Tiny Gulp. At just 0.7 ounces, it’s the perfect little sip for only 7 cents. Visit any 7-ELEVEn to meet the newest member of the Gulp Family today. pic.twitter.com/sVsVw0gi9O
— 7-ELEVEn (@7eleven) April 1, 2022
Love strawberries? Raspberries? Blueberries? ��
— Sainsbury's (@sainsburys) April 1, 2022
Look no further.
Sainsbury’s brings you… ��
The Sainsberry.
A strawb-rasp-blueb-goji-cran-berry hybrid.
Your five-a-day in just one fruit.
Berry impressive… don’t you think? ��
We're pretty fly. #AldiAir pic.twitter.com/1iZVj8maoR
— Aldi Stores UK (@AldiUK) April 1, 2022
When two become one. Introducing a new crispety crunchety twist to your favorite mayo. #ButterfingerxHellmanns �� pic.twitter.com/HSoWK8JVEq
— Hellmann's (@Hellmanns) March 31, 2022
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