VIDEO: Economy improving finally after months

(NBC) - NBC'S Gabe Gutierrez reports on a positive change in the economy as consumers are more confident than they've been in months.

Finally a little good news when it comes to the economy.

A new report shows consumers are more confident than they've been in months and believe the future is looking brighter for their finances.

And now it's causing a surge in early shopping - for the holidays.

Gabe Gutierrez has more.

The calendar might not even read September yet but holiday cheer is spreading early for inflation-weary families.

A new survey shows consumer confidence in the economy rising for the first time in four months with expectations for the future also inching up thanks in part to falling prices at the pump.

This new confidence - now driving a super-early wave of 'holiday' shopping.

Fears of growing inflation - causing more than a third of consumers to buy their holiday gifts - with the summer heat still scorching.

"Many people were like, you're already shopping? I was like, yeah!" Marissa Kile says.

Mother of three Marissa Kile started shopping for the holiday months ago - concerned that rising inflation could mean fewer sales in the Fall.

"My middle daughter is really into "Ella Miles" and "Rainbow High". And so I was able to get a lot of those items for less than half of the price" says Kile.

Hoping to cash in, retailers like Costco, Sam's Club and Home Depot are already rolling out holiday sales and displays.

With big discounts on everything from apparel and appliances - to sporting goods and toys.

Walmart - unwrapping its annual 'top toy' list nearly a month early this year - featuring a majority of items under 50 dollars and even adding a new budget-friendly category: 'toys under 25 bucks.'

"We know customers are looking for incredible values. And they're definitely starting to think about the holidays a little bit earlier than they have in years past" says Walmart Senior Director for Toys Jessica Mireles.

With many retailers saddled with huge inventory surpluses from the pandemic, experts say now is also a good time to score deals on big-ticket items like a new TV or laptop.

"If prices are down now, consumers are smart enough to realize that they should actually jump on it now and not wait, because the future looks uncertain" says Moody's Investors Service Analyst Mickey Chadha.