Pick 'n Pay stores are open despite Friday's strike by workers, the retailer said.

CEO Nick Badminton said contingency plans were in place.

"Pick 'n Pay is in the process of collecting information from across the country about the extent of staff absenteeism during protest marches and the clear picture of the situation will only be determined later," read a statement.

"All stores are open for business as usual," he said.

An estimated 25 000 striking workers were expected to march in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Cape Town and Bloemfontein, said spokesperson for the SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers' Union (Saccawu) Mduduzi Mbongwe.

"We are showing management that we are serious about our demands. For now the protest action is only for today, but if there is no response from management by next week we will embark on an indefinite strike."

He added that workers would be back at work on Saturday. The union served the retailer with a strike notice on Thursday.

This followed "the failure in the wage negotiations between Saccawu and the company", the union said.

Talks between the union and the retailer at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) also deadlocked recently.

Saccawu has asked for the greater of 12 percent or R500 as a pay increase, with a minimum wage of R3000 per month. The company has offered a R385 across-the-board increase and has dismissed the minimum wage demand.

A wage deal between the parties, valid for three years, ended late last year. While Pick 'n Pay wanted to negotiate a similar deal, Saccawu wished to negotiate every year.

Sapa