Imports are surging as possible labor strikes loom at major US ports, and retailers are stocking up for the holiday season, according to logistics software provider Motive.

Motive said the Port of Los Angeles saw 60% YoY growth in imports in July, and that imports via commercial vehicles from Laredo, Texas, on the US-Mexico border were up 24.4% in August—the highest level in four years and an indicator that a shift to nearshoring is having an effect.

The surge in imports could indicate that retailers are preparing for supply chain disruptions and higher shipping costs, per Motive. as the October 1 deadline for a labor agreement between the International Longshoremen Association (ILA) and port owners on the East Coast and Gulf and Mexico approaches. The ILA handles 43% of US imports at these ports.

But these labor troubles shouldn’t curb spending come the holidays, it said.

Keep reading here.—AV

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Elevate your retail brand.

Still kicking yourself for not scoring a pair of limited-edition Hot Pocket cargo shorts in 2022, the ones with an insulated pocket for keeping a Hot Pocket warm? Then you definitely won’t want to miss the latest opportunity to become a walking chafing dish.

Holiday Inn Express released a line of top-and-bottom sweats ensembles called Pancakesuits whose hoodie tops feature what the brand calls a “hidden warming pocket” for pancakes lined with heat-reflecting, insulating fabric.

Thanks to its mesmerizing self-serve pancake machines, the hotel chain claims to serve 28 million pancakes annually in the US and Canada.

Keep reading here.—AAN

On Wednesdays, we wear pink spotlight Retail Brew’s readers. Want to be featured in an upcoming edition? Click here to introduce yourself.

Bri Waldoch held roles at Target and Maurices before landing at Gopuff, where she’s director of private label.

How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? I lead the private label strategy at Gopuff, overseeing product development, sourcing, brand management, and merchandising of our private label brands. My five- and seven-year-old kids just call me the “snack lady” because we try a lot of development samples at home! Essentially, our private label team identifies products customers would love to see under our private brands. We determine the best sizes and flavors, identify supplier partners, negotiate costs, collaborate with our talented creative partners on packaging design, and launch these new items in the Gopuff app and BevMo! stores all with the goal of offering our customers high-quality products at great value every day.

One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? One of my favorite aspects of my role is collaborating with an extremely talented cross-functional team, including food scientists, regulatory and food safety professionals, creative designers, and digital merchandisers. This has been a consistent highlight throughout my career.

Keep reading here.—EC