Pics: 5 retailers that pranked us this year with fake products

The internet has facilitated April Fools Day pranking to a much larger degree than was previously possible, and each year a few retailers can’t resist getting in on the action.

Starbucks gently poked fun at its own silly beverage sizing with the introduction of the Plenta™ (128 fl oz) and Micra™ (2 oz) cups:

Plenta™ (128 fl oz) and Micra™ (2 fl oz) cups arrive in Starbucks stores this Fall. Derived from Italian word for plentiful or small, the Plenta™ delivers coffee lovers record amounts of the world’s finest coffee beverages while the Micra™ delivers a quick and satisfying morsel of goodness.

Recognizing the potential impact the Plenta™ presents for municipal waste collection, Starbucks is also suggesting several subsequent uses for the Plenta™ cup post coffee enjoyment. Suggested usage options include popcorn receptacle, rain hat, perennial planter, lampshade or yoga block. The Micra also serves as a convenient milk dish for kittens, soft boiled egg cup or paper clip holder.

Apparently yuppie retailers are all about the April Fools action, because Whole Foods got in on it as well, and extensively. In addition to the introduction of action figures for stores called “Patchouli Pam” and “Eco Suave,” the crunchy granola retailer trumpeted the addition of a new mobile app that transmits a “healthy electric shock” when users consider eating objectionable foods. Also added to the homepage were a “burn it to earn it” program with in-store treadmills, a new crop circle produce sourcing initiative, and some funny recipes and blog posts including one entitled “Boiling Water: You’re Doing It Wrong.”

The upcoming iPad is a big target of pranky merch this year, and ThinkGeek pulled their annual trick of making something up out of thin air that everyone actually really wants with their iCade iPad dock. The idea, it seems, is that no one really knows why they want the iPad so badly or what to do with it, but they ended up just making the most awesome looking dock of all time.

Of course, you don’t even need to buy a iPad, what with the iPhone to iPad converter for the bargain price of £89.99.

Finally, artsy business card creator Moo confused users with the introduction of “Back to Front” Business cards:

In the past, people have been wowed by the colour, the designs, the beautiful images on cards printed by MOO. Now with our exciting new updates, your contacts can marvel at the length of your phone number, or your twitter username before they even look at your images!

Perhaps your email address is a bit funny? Share this with potential new business partners from the word go, with MOO’s Limited Edition Back to Front Business Cards. (Or as some of the crazier MOO Crew are calling them, Front to Back Business Cards!)