Black Friday started later than usual at local malls this year

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58)-- A lot of Black Friday shoppers hit snooze on their alarm clocks Friday morning.

"We usually get here much earlier in the morning," Cheryl Pepin said. "We're used to being up at 4 o'clock."

The early wake up call wasn't necessary since shopping centers like Mayfair Mall and The Corners of Brookfield didn't open until 9 a.m.

"It's nice that it's not as crazy as it has been," Lauren Meunier said.

Lines aren't as long as previous years, but there's still plenty of people out looking for a sweet deal.

"It's all about us today. So, it's really not about buying for others. Just kidding," Jill Fehler said.

The pandemic caused a significant dip in in-person shopping.

"We're expected to grow 30% from 2019, which is really exciting," Marketing and Events Director for The Corners of Brookfield Chelsea Roessler said.

Some businesses are still feeling the effects of COVID-19, especially it's impact on the supply chain.

"(L.L. Bean isn't) doing discounts because they can't afford to lose that much product right now," Roessler said.

Some people told CBS 58 News there's a few items they couldn't get today.

"They didn't have (a perfume) and it was only online. So, you couldn't pick it up in store, because they didn't have it in stock," Meunier said.

Others said they're even seeing the shortages at restaurants and cafes.

"No caramel for our coffee," Pepin said. "There's a caramel shortage and that's terrible."

As all good shoppers know, there's always something to spend your money on.

Black Friday is only the beginning of the holiday shopping season. You can find holiday hours for both shopping centers on their websites.