Americans will spend nearly $600 on average on Black Friday

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – During the largest shopping rush of the year, Americans are slated to empty their pockets.

According to American Express, more than 45 percent of citizens in the U.S. plan to shop on Black Friday, and they’ll empty their pockets to the tune of $585 on average each.

Although the balance has routinely favored in-person doorbuster deals, many who monitor sales say more than half of consumers will choose to spend their money online during Cyber Monday. That balance has tipped in favor of Cyber Monday for the first time ever.

Shoppers are likely to find the best in-person deals between 12 a.m. and 7 a.m. on Black Friday, however 47 percent of shoppers surveyed by American Express say they will wait to shop online.

Only eight percent of those surveyed said they would refrain from shopping during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday rush.

One of the top gifts purchased this year are gift cards.