I know stores have been getting hit. reporter: outside of concerns of shopping safety, discounts posted in the days and weeks before black friday had consumers checking off their gift lists earlier than ever. i started my holiday shopping back in july. reporter: today s deepest discounts will be on toys and electronics and clothes. the supply chain is in crisis. when shipping containers backed up in ports, big name like gap and target flying products overseas factories to meat holiday demand. from the air to the ground. it s a mad dash to dodge delays to get those gifts out the door. the best advice for those having must-have items on their list, buy now. when i see these planes i think of deadlines and what you need to know if you are doing
Lilia. reporter: well, carter, it s been a busy small-business saturday, but l.a.p.d. is bracing for what could be another night of those smash-and-grab robberies. eager shoppers are filling the streets of los angeles, crossing off items on gift lists to work around shortages and shipping delays. any particular deals you re looking for around this area? um, just some cool pieces. reporter: millions of americans braved the crowds at shopping malls nationwide, spending almost $3 billion in stores, a jump of 21% from black friday 2020. after a year of barely surviving, small-business owners are hoping for some of those customers to come their way. you know who the money is going to, and you know where your products are coming from. reporter: despite a spike in sales, big retailers are facing a smash-and-grab crime spree in cities from san francisco to chicago to new york. ( bleep ) in l.a. county, thieves stormed a home depot