They seem harmless only a few centimeters tall and they are just too cute.

As cute as they might appear they have drove some parents to massive distraction and some schools have banned them already.

Just a month after Pick n Pay introduced them, Stikeez figurines have been keeping kids busy leaving parents out of cash.

Entertainment SA has learned that Chris Moerdyk who is the marketing analyst emphasised the phenomenon of "pester power" – whereby children nag their parents into buying items – is going nowhere. Moerdyk was also quoted saying: "Pester power is so powerful that children are responsible for 40% of parents' [choice of] motor vehicle colour."

He said shoppers could expect more aggressive marketing campaigns due to the "competitive market place" and "tough economic times".

Our Entertainment SA reporters also spoke to a source who mentioned that a school in Capetown, Rustenberg Girls' Junior has experienced a numerous of "unpleasant incidents" caused by Stikeez.

Principal Di Berry said: "The incidents relate to conflict during the swapping processes, exclusion from swapping processes and the disappearance of Stikeez and do not believe these things are safe for all children mostly to the younger ones’’

Again staff at a Johannesburg school said that the "huge craze" had caused incidents of "swapping and stealing" during school hours.

Some parents are now making money by selling "leftovers" on Gumtree. Bertus Pienaar advertised a Stikeez collection on Sunday for R450 which  was sold in few  hours.

Pick n Pay said the craze has exceeded its expectations, shoppers only get one free Stikeez for every R150 spent in-store and these Stikeez have 24 different characters.

Some mothers are "happy" that their kids have dumped their iPads, phones and stopped watching Dora the Explorer just to play with their Stikeez .

Whilst some schools are banning the use toys around the school premise others are using Stikeez as an educational tool. Swap groups have spread around the country and a Pretoria audiologist has even turned her practice into a "one-stop swap shop". Adults are also using the figurines.

Pick n Pay agreed to be part of Stikeez sales and entered into with Brand Loyalty, which is overseeing the Stikeez campaign in 20 other countries, including Germany, Russia, Italy, Greece and Sweden.

Picture credit: pnp.co.za

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