I'm from the US and to me both these sentences could be correct. There is a subtle difference in context. So it were late morning, for example 11am, I might say: Earlier this morning... to indicate earlier this *same* morning. If it were later in the day, say 4pm for example, I might say "Earlier, this morning, ..." to indicate earlier in the day, specifically in the morning rather than earlier in the afternoon.

There's no difference except perhaps the emphasis you are putting on the words since you used more commas. However usually the first one is used more often.

Hi. Yes, there is a difference. In the second sentence, "this morning" is written as extra information whereas in the first sentence, it is part of the whole sentence and not as extra information. The two commas between "this morning" act as brackets. I hope this helps.

Hello :) The first sentence is correct > Earlier this morning, I went to the shop.

Tracy’s answer is correct.