Retailers slash prices as holiday shoppers search for best deals early amid inflation

Forget about Black Friday. Holiday shoppers are already hunting for the best deals. 

Half of this year's gift givers say they plan to start shopping by the end of October, according to a Bankrate survey. That's why Target rolled out its Deal Days event this week, slashing prices up to 50%. It was timed just days ahead of Amazon's highly anticipated Prime Early Access Sale. 

"Retailers definitely have an arms race to reach shoppers while a shopper still has her or his money to spend on holiday items," said Burt Flickinger, managing director for Strategic Resource Group, a retail consulting firm.