Glen Korstrom
@glenkorstrom.bsky.social
Reporter at Business In Vancouver, (Part of Glacier Inc.’s Lodestar.)
Mostly cover #retail, #tourism, #hospitality, #travel, #AI / #tech, #consumer trends
Photo by Chung Chow
Mostly cover #retail, #tourism, #hospitality, #travel, #AI / #tech, #consumer trends
Photo by Chung Chow
Pinned
BIV reporter to be inducted into BC Restaurant Hall of Fame
Glen Korstrom inducted as a friend of the industry
www.biv.com
Feeling honoured today to be selected to be inducted into the BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association (BCRFA)'s BC Restaurant Hall of Fame later this year.
Even more so, given that it is the current 150 or so inductees who voted on my selection.
#journalism
www.biv.com/news/hospita...
Even more so, given that it is the current 150 or so inductees who voted on my selection.
#journalism
www.biv.com/news/hospita...
Here's how restaurants, hotels and airlines are making business decisions thanks to the K-shaped economy, where rich spend lavishly and others become more frugal.
#Kshaped #hospitality #BCecon
#Kshaped #hospitality #BCecon
B.C. hospitality industry sees growth split along K-shaped lines
Customers in B.C. increasingly want either premium experiences or discounts, according to operators
www.biv.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Here's how restaurants, hotels and airlines are making business decisions thanks to the K-shaped economy, where rich spend lavishly and others become more frugal.
#Kshaped #hospitality #BCecon
#Kshaped #hospitality #BCecon
British Columbians in January continued to travel less to the U.S.
B.C.-plated vehicles travelled south at the four main border crossings near Vancouver 31.8 per cent less in January than in January 2025 - the 12th straight month of declines.
#tourism
B.C.-plated vehicles travelled south at the four main border crossings near Vancouver 31.8 per cent less in January than in January 2025 - the 12th straight month of declines.
#tourism
B.C. travel across U.S. border plunges for 12th straight month
Traffic going through U.S. border crossings near Vancouver drops 32% in January
www.biv.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:09 AM
British Columbians in January continued to travel less to the U.S.
B.C.-plated vehicles travelled south at the four main border crossings near Vancouver 31.8 per cent less in January than in January 2025 - the 12th straight month of declines.
#tourism
B.C.-plated vehicles travelled south at the four main border crossings near Vancouver 31.8 per cent less in January than in January 2025 - the 12th straight month of declines.
#tourism
New data show YVR set records for passengers and cargo volume in 2025.
Asia-Pacific growth was the engine propelling growth.
More domestic and European travel too.
Not hard to guess which country saw the biggest decline in passenger count.
#aviation #travel #tourism
Asia-Pacific growth was the engine propelling growth.
More domestic and European travel too.
Not hard to guess which country saw the biggest decline in passenger count.
#aviation #travel #tourism
YVR sets records for passenger, cargo volume in 2025
Vancouver International Airport saw 26.9 million travellers board or disembark flights and 365,000 tonnes of cargo last year
www.biv.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:09 AM
Evidence shows the K-shaped economy is real, with wealthier people spending lavishly, while most others look for bargains and trade down.
This impacts business decisions as well as people’s lives.
#retail #BCecon
www.biv.com/news/how-the...
This impacts business decisions as well as people’s lives.
#retail #BCecon
www.biv.com/news/how-the...
How the K-shaped economy is splitting B.C. retail
Increased income gap strains life for consumers, alters strategies for businesses
www.biv.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:12 AM
Evidence shows the K-shaped economy is real, with wealthier people spending lavishly, while most others look for bargains and trade down.
This impacts business decisions as well as people’s lives.
#retail #BCecon
www.biv.com/news/how-the...
This impacts business decisions as well as people’s lives.
#retail #BCecon
www.biv.com/news/how-the...
Vancouver city council's decision to allow restaurants/bars to apply to stay open serving alcohol longer on a permanent basis, is finding some traction even though the process costs thousands of dollars.
#hospitality #restaurants #Vanpoli
www.biv.com/small-busine...
#hospitality #restaurants #Vanpoli
www.biv.com/small-busine...
Vancouver's hospitality sector mixed on later liquor-serving hours
City council voted last summer to allow pubs and restaurants to apply to stay open one extra hour in most cases
www.biv.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:09 AM
Vancouver city council's decision to allow restaurants/bars to apply to stay open serving alcohol longer on a permanent basis, is finding some traction even though the process costs thousands of dollars.
#hospitality #restaurants #Vanpoli
www.biv.com/small-busine...
#hospitality #restaurants #Vanpoli
www.biv.com/small-busine...
Wrote a couple stories on a BCSC panel finding a company and individuals were involved in a pump-and-dump scheme.
Lots of back and forth, and a blistering response from the company today.
#investing #regulation
Lots of back and forth, and a blistering response from the company today.
#investing #regulation
Core Capital Partners to appeal BCSC 'pump-and-dump' finding
Company said it 'categorically denies any wrongdoing and rejects the allegations in their entirety'
www.biv.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Wrote a couple stories on a BCSC panel finding a company and individuals were involved in a pump-and-dump scheme.
Lots of back and forth, and a blistering response from the company today.
#investing #regulation
Lots of back and forth, and a blistering response from the company today.
#investing #regulation
Having the Olympics in a time zone that means no events take place in the late afternoon and evening Vancouver time mean that sports bar and restaurant owners are not expecting much of a sales bump from the Games.
#hospitality #2026Olympics
www.biv.com/small-busine...
#hospitality #2026Olympics
www.biv.com/small-busine...
Time zone, liquor rules dampen Olympic hopes for Vancouver bars
Industry groups say overnight games, limited permits and uncertain provincial approvals could blunt any revenue boost from Milan-Cortina 2026
www.biv.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Having the Olympics in a time zone that means no events take place in the late afternoon and evening Vancouver time mean that sports bar and restaurant owners are not expecting much of a sales bump from the Games.
#hospitality #2026Olympics
www.biv.com/small-busine...
#hospitality #2026Olympics
www.biv.com/small-busine...
Vancouver's average hotel room rate in December plunged 31.7%, which was no surprise because Taylor Swift held no concerts here this year.
What was interesting was that the average room rates have lagged those in Toronto for three months in a row.
#tourism
www.biv.com/news/hospita...
What was interesting was that the average room rates have lagged those in Toronto for three months in a row.
#tourism
www.biv.com/news/hospita...
Vancouver hotel metrics fizzle to end sizzling 2025
Toronto had pricier hotel rooms on average than Vancouver for a third consecutive month in December
www.biv.com
January 22, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Vancouver's average hotel room rate in December plunged 31.7%, which was no surprise because Taylor Swift held no concerts here this year.
What was interesting was that the average room rates have lagged those in Toronto for three months in a row.
#tourism
www.biv.com/news/hospita...
What was interesting was that the average room rates have lagged those in Toronto for three months in a row.
#tourism
www.biv.com/news/hospita...
Curious move for Northland Properties to buy trademarks & IP for Denny's in Canada. It resembles a move decades ago by A&W Canada, where that company bought rights to the A&W brand and created a different menu, mascots.
#restaurants #hospitality
www.biv.com/news/hospita...
#restaurants #hospitality
www.biv.com/news/hospita...
Northland Properties buys trademarks, IP for Denny's in Canada
Transaction also includes Northland buying an equity stake in the U.S. multinational family restaurant chain
www.biv.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Curious move for Northland Properties to buy trademarks & IP for Denny's in Canada. It resembles a move decades ago by A&W Canada, where that company bought rights to the A&W brand and created a different menu, mascots.
#restaurants #hospitality
www.biv.com/news/hospita...
#restaurants #hospitality
www.biv.com/news/hospita...
Impressive turnaround.
Steve Nash Fitness World dissolved during the pandemic. A new Fitness World swooped in to buy assets.
It now plans to spend $50M to open 25 more corporate locations within five years.
Franchising is also possible.
#fitness #gyms
Steve Nash Fitness World dissolved during the pandemic. A new Fitness World swooped in to buy assets.
It now plans to spend $50M to open 25 more corporate locations within five years.
Franchising is also possible.
#fitness #gyms
Fitness World spending $50M on 25-store corporate expansion
Franchising could also be in store for a company that started in 2020, buying assets from the former Steve Nash Fitness World
www.biv.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:59 AM
Looked into how Jane Nielsen, the front-runner for the Lululemon CEO post, has a track record of consolidating office real estate, and how that could impact Vancouver operations.
#lululemon #retail
www.biv.com/news/potenti...
#lululemon #retail
www.biv.com/news/potenti...
Potential Lululemon CEO pick may impact Vancouver office real estate
Jane Nielsen has track record of consolidating office space from when she was at Ralph Lauren
www.biv.com
January 19, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Looked into how Jane Nielsen, the front-runner for the Lululemon CEO post, has a track record of consolidating office real estate, and how that could impact Vancouver operations.
#lululemon #retail
www.biv.com/news/potenti...
#lululemon #retail
www.biv.com/news/potenti...
The B.C. government told me it is rejecting the hospitality industry’s request to cut red tape and allow all restaurants and bars to temporarily stay open longer on 2026 World Cup game nights.
#WorldCup2026 #BCpoli
www.biv.com/small-busine...
#WorldCup2026 #BCpoli
www.biv.com/small-busine...
B.C. rejects industry's ask for longer liquor service during World Cup
Restaurant owners must go through cumbersome process for single day permit exemptions
www.biv.com
January 16, 2026 at 7:04 PM
The B.C. government told me it is rejecting the hospitality industry’s request to cut red tape and allow all restaurants and bars to temporarily stay open longer on 2026 World Cup game nights.
#WorldCup2026 #BCpoli
www.biv.com/small-busine...
#WorldCup2026 #BCpoli
www.biv.com/small-busine...
Check out my look into popular 11-location Vancouver-based donut shop Lee's Donuts, which just named a new president, Cameron Jarvis, and is charting expansion through franchising.
#franchising #smallbiz #donuts
www.biv.com/news/retail-...
#franchising #smallbiz #donuts
www.biv.com/news/retail-...
Vancouver-based Lee's Donuts appoints new president, embarks on expansion
The 11-location donut chain has five franchises and anticipates opening new franchised locations across B.C. and Canada
www.biv.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Check out my look into popular 11-location Vancouver-based donut shop Lee's Donuts, which just named a new president, Cameron Jarvis, and is charting expansion through franchising.
#franchising #smallbiz #donuts
www.biv.com/news/retail-...
#franchising #smallbiz #donuts
www.biv.com/news/retail-...
East Broadway business owners and advocates are pressing Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth for a meeting, and for what they call "lifeline" grants to keep businesses afloat.
#smallbiz #BCpoli
#smallbiz #BCpoli
Broadway business owners seek lifeline grants as street closure looms
Mount Pleasant BIA seeks meeting with Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth, and provincial action to stave off business failures
www.biv.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:21 AM
Concerning for the neighbourhood as London Drugs plans to close its 27,000-square-foot Downtown Eastside store in the Woodwards Building.
Management cited losses and staff safety as key reasons.
#retail
www.biv.com/news/retail-...
Management cited losses and staff safety as key reasons.
#retail
www.biv.com/news/retail-...
London Drugs closing Woodward's store in Vancouver, citing losses, staff safety
The Richmond-based general merchandise seller has more than 80 stores in Western Canada
www.biv.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Concerning for the neighbourhood as London Drugs plans to close its 27,000-square-foot Downtown Eastside store in the Woodwards Building.
Management cited losses and staff safety as key reasons.
#retail
www.biv.com/news/retail-...
Management cited losses and staff safety as key reasons.
#retail
www.biv.com/news/retail-...
B.C. residents travelled less to the U.S. for the 11th straight month y/y - by land & air.
Data for border crossings near Vancouver runs to December; YVR data runs to November.
It’s 11 months straight for both data sets.
#travel #tourism
www.biv.com/news/bc-trav...
Data for border crossings near Vancouver runs to December; YVR data runs to November.
It’s 11 months straight for both data sets.
#travel #tourism
www.biv.com/news/bc-trav...
B.C. travel to the U.S. plunges as trips fall for an 11th straight month
Vehicle trips south drop 36% in 2025, while Canada-U.S. flights from YVR continue to slide
www.biv.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:05 AM
B.C. residents travelled less to the U.S. for the 11th straight month y/y - by land & air.
Data for border crossings near Vancouver runs to December; YVR data runs to November.
It’s 11 months straight for both data sets.
#travel #tourism
www.biv.com/news/bc-trav...
Data for border crossings near Vancouver runs to December; YVR data runs to November.
It’s 11 months straight for both data sets.
#travel #tourism
www.biv.com/news/bc-trav...
Started the new year by looking into how Lululemon is starting 2026 with a significant corporate to-do list.
It plans global expansion as it seeks a new CEO, navigates a threat to its current board and deals with an activist investor.
#retail
It plans global expansion as it seeks a new CEO, navigates a threat to its current board and deals with an activist investor.
#retail
Lululemon charts global expansion amid CEO hunt, boardroom battle
Vancouver-based retailer plans new stores abroad while searching for a CEO and confronting pressure from founder Chip Wilson
www.biv.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Started the new year by looking into how Lululemon is starting 2026 with a significant corporate to-do list.
It plans global expansion as it seeks a new CEO, navigates a threat to its current board and deals with an activist investor.
#retail
It plans global expansion as it seeks a new CEO, navigates a threat to its current board and deals with an activist investor.
#retail
Just wrote about TravelAI, a Metro Vancouver tech company to watch.
It has hundreds of niche travel websites and uses AI to curate personalized suggestions of where web surfers would want to stay.
It's revenue growth is soaring.
#AI #travel #tourism #technology #BCtech
It has hundreds of niche travel websites and uses AI to curate personalized suggestions of where web surfers would want to stay.
It's revenue growth is soaring.
#AI #travel #tourism #technology #BCtech
How TravelAI uses data to find the trip you didn't know you wanted
Fast growing Vancouver company has hundreds of travel websites, with many catering to niche interests and demographics
www.biv.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Just wrote about TravelAI, a Metro Vancouver tech company to watch.
It has hundreds of niche travel websites and uses AI to curate personalized suggestions of where web surfers would want to stay.
It's revenue growth is soaring.
#AI #travel #tourism #technology #BCtech
It has hundreds of niche travel websites and uses AI to curate personalized suggestions of where web surfers would want to stay.
It's revenue growth is soaring.
#AI #travel #tourism #technology #BCtech
I wrote about No Meat Factory back in 2023, when they received a US$42M investment. Now they're being sued for allegedly not paying rent.
#plantbased #retail #manufacturing #lawsuits
www.biv.com/news/retail-...
#plantbased #retail #manufacturing #lawsuits
www.biv.com/news/retail-...
Plant-based food firm No Meat Factory sued for allegedly not paying rent
Company had been fêted for netting a US$42M investment in 2023
www.biv.com
December 31, 2025 at 12:26 AM
I wrote about No Meat Factory back in 2023, when they received a US$42M investment. Now they're being sued for allegedly not paying rent.
#plantbased #retail #manufacturing #lawsuits
www.biv.com/news/retail-...
#plantbased #retail #manufacturing #lawsuits
www.biv.com/news/retail-...
Canada saw an extraordinary jump in the number of South Koreans entering the country through B.C. entry points in October - up 117 per cent from last year.
More flight frequency helped.
Budget travellers may now hope that all that capacity could lead to seat sales.
#aviation #travel #tourism
More flight frequency helped.
Budget travellers may now hope that all that capacity could lead to seat sales.
#aviation #travel #tourism
Better flight access prompts surge in South Korean visits to B.C.
South Koreans visited B.C. 117 per cent more in 2025 than in 2024
www.biv.com
December 30, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Fun to catch up with former #Canucks captain, #entrepreneur Trevor Linden to write a magazine feature.
He's sold his stake in Orangetheory Fitness.
His focus now is an expanded role at Club16 Trevor Linden Fitness, following his business partner's death.
He's sold his stake in Orangetheory Fitness.
His focus now is an expanded role at Club16 Trevor Linden Fitness, following his business partner's death.
Trevor Linden leans in at Club16 while leaving hockey behind
Beloved former Canucks captain, executive says focus is now fully on business, family
www.biv.com
December 24, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Fun to catch up with former #Canucks captain, #entrepreneur Trevor Linden to write a magazine feature.
He's sold his stake in Orangetheory Fitness.
His focus now is an expanded role at Club16 Trevor Linden Fitness, following his business partner's death.
He's sold his stake in Orangetheory Fitness.
His focus now is an expanded role at Club16 Trevor Linden Fitness, following his business partner's death.
Vancouver finally has a grocery store where customers can buy groceries and wine and go to a single check-out.
Here's my look at why it has taken so long, obstacles and how Save-On-Foods did it.
#retail #grocery #BCwine
Here's my look at why it has taken so long, obstacles and how Save-On-Foods did it.
#retail #grocery #BCwine
Vancouver finally has a grocery store that sells wine
Shoppers at Save-On-Foods' Cambie Street store can buy wine with groceries and go to a single checkout
www.biv.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:19 PM
The 42-employee Vancouver scheduling-technology company Actenum has a new U.S. owner, which is "jet fuel" for the company's growth, its CEO, Paul Maurer told me.
#BCtech #Actenum #Oil
#BCtech #Actenum #Oil
Vancouver's scheduling-tech firm Actenum sold to Prometheus Group
Transaction for undisclosed amount said to help Prometheus' AI abilities
www.biv.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Good news for visitors to Vancouver.
The city's hotel room prices in November dipped below Toronto's as the priciest in Canada for the second month in a row.
Toronto hotels were also more occupied than Vancouver's in November.
#tourism #travel
The city's hotel room prices in November dipped below Toronto's as the priciest in Canada for the second month in a row.
Toronto hotels were also more occupied than Vancouver's in November.
#tourism #travel
Vancouver hotels cheaper than Toronto's for second straight month
Toronto also outpaced Vancouver with a higher monthly occupancy rate for the first time this year
www.biv.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Exciting news for many that Chip Wilson and Braden Parker are relaunching Westbeach, and have a new store on West 4th Avenue.
Don't expect a redux of Kit and Ace, which blasted out of the gate with dozens of stores. The aim this time is to be slow and steady.
#retail #snowboarding #surfing #Apparel
Don't expect a redux of Kit and Ace, which blasted out of the gate with dozens of stores. The aim this time is to be slow and steady.
#retail #snowboarding #surfing #Apparel
Back to the future: Billionaire Chip Wilson relaunches Westbeach
Lululemon founder buys back rights to Westbeach, opens Kitsilano store and installs entrepreneur Braden Parker as CEO
www.biv.com
December 20, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Exciting news for many that Chip Wilson and Braden Parker are relaunching Westbeach, and have a new store on West 4th Avenue.
Don't expect a redux of Kit and Ace, which blasted out of the gate with dozens of stores. The aim this time is to be slow and steady.
#retail #snowboarding #surfing #Apparel
Don't expect a redux of Kit and Ace, which blasted out of the gate with dozens of stores. The aim this time is to be slow and steady.
#retail #snowboarding #surfing #Apparel