South African families will once again be sent into a collectible craze, as Checkers, part of the Shoprite Group, has announced that their popular collectibles are back with the launch of Stickables.
The retailer said that its stickables are 50 unique, colourful stickers with special effects, featuring some of South Africa’s most recognisable brands.
From the Duracell Bunny, Oros, Bar-One, Ricoffy and Sunshine D, to Black Cat Peanut Butter, OMO, Huggies and even a mini Sixty60 delivery bike, there’s plenty to discover.
It comes after Checkers Little Shop campaign was met with great success where customers collected an assortment of reimagined miniature grocery items.
Collectibles are experiencing a significant resurgence globally, with consumers of all ages increasingly drawn to the act of collecting physical products for entertainment, self-expression and social connection.
Collectibles craze
According to Toys R Us, South Africans are buying around 240 blind collectibles a day, with sales across the category growing amongst people of all ages, as the global fascination with mystery toys, collecting and unboxing culture gathers momentum locally.
The toy store added that 'blind boxes' are emerging as a particularly fast-growing part of the category.
Blind-box culture, as the trend is referred to, is a global collecting trend where consumers buy sealed, identical packaging without knowing the specific item inside until they open it.
Toys R Us sales data revealed that blind-box sales have exceeded over ten times the amount when compared to the same period from last year. The company said that it has been driven by a growing demand for established ranges and a significant expansion in the number of brands available.
More than 41,500 blind collectibles have been sold through Toys R Us stores and online since the retailer's financial year began in March.
The category includes blind boxes, eggs, capsules and other surprise formats, while more than 4,400 blind boxes alone have been sold, equivalent to about 26 a day.
While much of the international attention has focused on Pop Mart and its popular Labubu characters, Toys R Us said its South African sales point to a broader consumer appetite for collecting rather than a single viral product.
“What we're seeing isn't about one brand or one character,” said Catherine Jacoby, Marketing Manager at Toys R Us South Africa.
“There is something about the combination of collecting, surprise and discovery that consumers really respond to,” Jacoby said.
How Checkers Stickables work
Checkers added that it is bringing all of that to life with Stickables.
"Exclusive to Xtra Savings members, customers who swipe their rewards card will receive a sticker for every R200 spent, up to a maximum of 10 stickers per customer, per transaction. Collect all 50 and complete the set," Checkers stated.
The company said that hidden among the Stickables are a limited number of rare golden stickers.
Golden stickers offer R1 million prize
"Find one, scan the QR code and stand a chance to win R1 million. The winner will be selected through a random draw and Xtra Savings Plus members receive double entries. And of course, there’s the Sticker Book. Available in teal, orange and pink at just R99.99, it’s the perfect place to safely store your favourites, see what’s still missing, as well as show off and compare with friends," Checkers further stated.
Checkers Stickables runs from 21 September to 8 November 2026.
ashley.lechman@nationalmg.co.za