Thousands of shoppers are braving the stores this morning hunting a Boxing Day deal.

Today is one of the busiest days of the year for local retailers as many locals and visitors head indoors to find themselves a bargain in the annual sales and take refuge from the odd shower.

On the same day last year around $68 million flowed through the tills and this year that's expect to rise.

Retail NZ's Greg Harford told Tim Dower everyone is hoping to snatch up a bargain.

"Customers were pretty price conscious leading up to Christmas, but Boxing Day is just a massively popular trading day, thanks to the heavily discounted deals on offer."

LISTEN ABOVE AS GREG HARFORD SPEAKS TO TIM DOWER