With mega sales, retailers were hoping for a mob, and shoppers were expecting one. That did not seem to be the case this year.

"There’s been years that we've been fighting off people and getting here at five or six in the morning,” shopper Eduardo Flores said. “This year we got here a little bit late, and we found pretty much everything we were looking for."

In years past, people crammed into packed parking lots and chaos filled the malls, but not this year.

"Lines haven't been too bad,” shopper Christine Posey said. “Its been a good experience."

Not a good experience for retailers, however.

With the economy in shambles, many retailers were relying on Friday to help with record-low sales.

Early estimates, however, indicate 20 percent fewer shoppers came out for Black Friday this year.

Jorge Gonzalez did come out, but he did what many did; only made small purchases.

"I just don't want to overspend, and then later on maybe something happens and I get a little tight on cash," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez noticed he is not the only one.

“I haven't really seen anyone buying big screens or big appliances or anything like that," Gonzalez said.

Those smaller purchases are not going to better retailers’ financial outlook.

In this lagging economy, however, shoppers do not feel comfortable parting with their savings.

After a half hour of shopping, Jorge Gonzalez left Cielo Vista Mall in East El Paso with just one small bag.

"That’s my Black Friday, one pair of shoes," Gonzalez said.