Bargain hunters will be out in force today for the Black Friday sales.

It is an American tradition, attached to the annual Thanksgiving celebration.

Price Spy New Zealand manager Lisa Matinvesi-Bassett told Kate Hawkesby research from last year tells us they might be.

"Last year approximately 19 percent of items were on sale and the average discount was 17 percent. Black Friday is about three times as busy for retailers as a normal Friday."

LISTEN ABOVE AS LISA MATINVESI-BASSETT SPEAKS TO KATE HAWKESBY