Checkers is launching a new collectables campaign on Monday, 6 May – which will allow customers to build their own tiny versions of a Checkers supermarket.

The Little Checkers promotion will see customers receive a "block pack" for every R200 spent in the chain's stores. There are 35 packs in total, which will build into a nearly complete small store. 

As with Checker's previous collective promotions, you can upgrade for cash. A delivery truck that goes with the store will cost R69.99. Another R79.99 will buy you a starter kit, which includes such extras as a base plate on which to construct the small store and exterior walls.

The standard block packs, meanwhile, include everything from tills to freezers.

Checkers is presenting the Lego-like collectables as fun and reusable toys that will help parents play with their children away from screens.

The blocks that will be given away are "compatible with other leading brands of toy blocks," Checkers says.

The promotion will run until block packs run out.

Little Checkers also comes with a competition with the chance of a share of R50,000 Checkers gift card for those who complete their stores, and a holiday to Legoland in Dubai for four people, which Checkers values at R100,000.

The Checkers Little Shop promotion, which offered miniature versions of everything from bread to washing powder, built a cult following, complete with swap meets for those stuck with too many versions of Pritt and not enough Smarties.

Last year, Checkers followed that success with its Little Garden kits, which allowed collectors to grow eight types of vegetables, flowers, and herbs, for a collection of 24 plants in total.

Little Checkers will come in slightly more expensive than Little Shop, which came with kits for every R150 spent.