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...
YVR today sent me passenger data for October.
Overall traffic is up. Domestic traffic is up. Other international traffic is also up.
The only thing not up is passenger traffic on flights to and from the U.S.
That's down for the 10th straight month.
#travel #tourism
Overall traffic is up. Domestic traffic is up. Other international traffic is also up.
The only thing not up is passenger traffic on flights to and from the U.S.
That's down for the 10th straight month.
#travel #tourism
YVR sees fewer passengers on U.S. flights for 10th straight month
Passenger count on flights to and from the U.S. dropped 9.1 per cent in October, while overall count was up 6.6 per cent
www.biv.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Found this at court. Eight former bellhops, valets are suing Executive Le Soleil Hotels & Suites for allegedly terminating them to quell a union drive.
#hospitality #lawsuits
#hospitality #lawsuits
Bellhops say Executive Le Soleil hotel fired them to quell union drive
Eight former workers suing downtown Vancouver hotel in B.C. Supreme Court
www.biv.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Found this at court. Eight former bellhops, valets are suing Executive Le Soleil Hotels & Suites for allegedly terminating them to quell a union drive.
#hospitality #lawsuits
#hospitality #lawsuits
Canucks are worth US$2.2B, which is the average for an NHL team, according to CNBC.
Interesting that the network today estimated the team's revenue, EBITDA and debt as a percentage of value.
Canucks execs have been coy on details whenever I have asked.
#Canucks
Interesting that the network today estimated the team's revenue, EBITDA and debt as a percentage of value.
Canucks execs have been coy on details whenever I have asked.
#Canucks
Vancouver Canucks worth US$2.2B, same as the average NHL team: report
Hockey team does not release business information, but CNBC estimates it drew US$234M in revenue
www.biv.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Canucks are worth US$2.2B, which is the average for an NHL team, according to CNBC.
Interesting that the network today estimated the team's revenue, EBITDA and debt as a percentage of value.
Canucks execs have been coy on details whenever I have asked.
#Canucks
Interesting that the network today estimated the team's revenue, EBITDA and debt as a percentage of value.
Canucks execs have been coy on details whenever I have asked.
#Canucks
New B.C. government policy for mark-up support for B.C. wineries draws pushback.
#BCwine
#BCwine
B.C. entrepreneur claims new policy hurts fast-growing wineries
So-called Olympic average policy determines eligible subsidies for province's wine sales
www.biv.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:55 AM
New B.C. government policy for mark-up support for B.C. wineries draws pushback.
#BCwine
#BCwine
Why B.C. consumers are shifting to buy local and direct when it comes to purchasing protein.
Options exist to get quarter cows and chicken and fish by cutting out intermediaries.
#groceries #buylocal
www.biv.com/news/economy...
Options exist to get quarter cows and chicken and fish by cutting out intermediaries.
#groceries #buylocal
www.biv.com/news/economy...
How B.C. shoppers are cutting out middlemen when buying beef, chicken, fish
Options abound to buy in bulk, and get better quality by going to the source
www.biv.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Why B.C. consumers are shifting to buy local and direct when it comes to purchasing protein.
Options exist to get quarter cows and chicken and fish by cutting out intermediaries.
#groceries #buylocal
www.biv.com/news/economy...
Options exist to get quarter cows and chicken and fish by cutting out intermediaries.
#groceries #buylocal
www.biv.com/news/economy...
Fast-growing Pokerrito expanding to Mexico, Toronto after opening 11 Metro Vancouver locations.
I discussed franchising lessons with veterans.
#franchising
www.biv.com/news/economy...
I discussed franchising lessons with veterans.
#franchising
www.biv.com/news/economy...
Vancouver franchise leaders preach smart, methodical expansion
Rejecting deep-pocketed potential franchisees who are not the right fit can be vital for success, say some
www.biv.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Fast-growing Pokerrito expanding to Mexico, Toronto after opening 11 Metro Vancouver locations.
I discussed franchising lessons with veterans.
#franchising
www.biv.com/news/economy...
I discussed franchising lessons with veterans.
#franchising
www.biv.com/news/economy...
Why Flair sees sufficient demand to launch daily Vancouver–Montreal flights in spring 2026
#aviation #tourism #travel
#aviation #tourism #travel
Flair to launch daily Vancouver–Montreal flights in spring 2026
Lynx Air's demise, trend of Canadians increasingly travelling domestically helped Flair make decision to relaunch the route, says exec
www.biv.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Looks like tough times at Vancouver's Hootsuite as it lays off 20% of its staff, which would be hundreds of workers.
Good news could be that there are more workers with experience for other local #technology companies.
www.biv.com/news/technol...
Good news could be that there are more workers with experience for other local #technology companies.
www.biv.com/news/technol...
Hootsuite laying off hundreds of staff; 20% of workforce
Social media management platform maker would not disclose exact numbers but layoffs would be in the hundreds
www.biv.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Looks like tough times at Vancouver's Hootsuite as it lays off 20% of its staff, which would be hundreds of workers.
Good news could be that there are more workers with experience for other local #technology companies.
www.biv.com/news/technol...
Good news could be that there are more workers with experience for other local #technology companies.
www.biv.com/news/technol...
Good to see Whitecaps FC setting attendance records, seeing business success
#WhitecapsFC #Whitecaps #MLS
#WhitecapsFC #Whitecaps #MLS
Whitecaps FC setting attendance records, seeing business success
The Vancouver Whitecaps FC coming off best season on the pitch, planning to open BC Place's upper bowl for first playoff game on Sunday
www.biv.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Good to see Whitecaps FC setting attendance records, seeing business success
#WhitecapsFC #Whitecaps #MLS
#WhitecapsFC #Whitecaps #MLS
Looked into how much tourism has become accessible through the decades.
B.C. businesses are making strides to be more inclusive for those in wheelchairs, on the autism spectrum or with other needs.
#tourism #accessibility
www.biv.com/small-busine...
B.C. businesses are making strides to be more inclusive for those in wheelchairs, on the autism spectrum or with other needs.
#tourism #accessibility
www.biv.com/small-busine...
B.C. businesses innovate to make tourism more accessible, inclusive
West Coast organizations adapt to meet diverse physical, sensory, and cognitive needs, but those impacted say more work needed
www.biv.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Looked into how much tourism has become accessible through the decades.
B.C. businesses are making strides to be more inclusive for those in wheelchairs, on the autism spectrum or with other needs.
#tourism #accessibility
www.biv.com/small-busine...
B.C. businesses are making strides to be more inclusive for those in wheelchairs, on the autism spectrum or with other needs.
#tourism #accessibility
www.biv.com/small-busine...
Covered charges against a former Westhaven CFO last year. Crown has stayed all of the charges.
The former CFO's lawyer had choice words about what he called "disturbing practices" in the BCSC's investigation.
www.biv.com/news/economy...
The former CFO's lawyer had choice words about what he called "disturbing practices" in the BCSC's investigation.
www.biv.com/news/economy...
Charges stayed against former Westhaven Gold executive
Lawyers for Shaun Pollard say failed prosecution exposed systemic issues at the securities regulator
www.biv.com
October 17, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Covered charges against a former Westhaven CFO last year. Crown has stayed all of the charges.
The former CFO's lawyer had choice words about what he called "disturbing practices" in the BCSC's investigation.
www.biv.com/news/economy...
The former CFO's lawyer had choice words about what he called "disturbing practices" in the BCSC's investigation.
www.biv.com/news/economy...
Check out my look into calls to streamline B.C.'s inefficient alcohol distribution system.
Importers have seen business dry up because the BCGEU strike has halted alcohol deliveries.
Products must shuttle between warehouses before getting to consumers.
#retail #hospitality #BCGEU
Importers have seen business dry up because the BCGEU strike has halted alcohol deliveries.
Products must shuttle between warehouses before getting to consumers.
#retail #hospitality #BCGEU
Unseen victims: Alcohol importers hardest hit by BCGEU strike
Alcohol importers cannot access their own products to sell to customers so they are harder hit than are owners of restaurants and private liquor stores
www.biv.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Check out my look into calls to streamline B.C.'s inefficient alcohol distribution system.
Importers have seen business dry up because the BCGEU strike has halted alcohol deliveries.
Products must shuttle between warehouses before getting to consumers.
#retail #hospitality #BCGEU
Importers have seen business dry up because the BCGEU strike has halted alcohol deliveries.
Products must shuttle between warehouses before getting to consumers.
#retail #hospitality #BCGEU
Executives at Vancouver-based clothing companies shared with me their real estate strategies for opening stores.
Many brands - #Lululemon, #Aritzia, #Indochino, #Duer, #KitandAce - are opening new stores.
Others are expanding wholesale partnerships.
#retail #realestate
Many brands - #Lululemon, #Aritzia, #Indochino, #Duer, #KitandAce - are opening new stores.
Others are expanding wholesale partnerships.
#retail #realestate
Why B.C. clothing retailers are rapidly opening new stores
Lululemon, Aritzia, Indochino, Kit and Ace all growing store counts in challenging market
www.biv.com
October 10, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Executives at Vancouver-based clothing companies shared with me their real estate strategies for opening stores.
Many brands - #Lululemon, #Aritzia, #Indochino, #Duer, #KitandAce - are opening new stores.
Others are expanding wholesale partnerships.
#retail #realestate
Many brands - #Lululemon, #Aritzia, #Indochino, #Duer, #KitandAce - are opening new stores.
Others are expanding wholesale partnerships.
#retail #realestate
Lululemon sent me a response to founder Chip Wilson's blistering critique of the way it is operating, following his ad in the Wall Street Journal yesterday.
#retail #lululemon
#retail #lululemon
Lululemon responds to blast from founder Chip Wilson
The large shareholder has criticized Lululemon multiple times in the past few years, largely for ignoring product design and aiming to be everything to everyone
www.biv.com
October 9, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Lululemon sent me a response to founder Chip Wilson's blistering critique of the way it is operating, following his ad in the Wall Street Journal yesterday.
#retail #lululemon
#retail #lululemon
Check out my look into how Vancouver sports teams are vying for fan dollars in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup.
#FIFAWorldCup #WhitecapsFC #Canucks #BCLions #VancouverRise #PWHL
#FIFAWorldCup #WhitecapsFC #Canucks #BCLions #VancouverRise #PWHL
Vancouver sports teams eye World Cup gold rush
Global spectacle may heighten interest in following other team sports
www.biv.com
October 8, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Check out my look into how Vancouver sports teams are vying for fan dollars in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup.
#FIFAWorldCup #WhitecapsFC #Canucks #BCLions #VancouverRise #PWHL
#FIFAWorldCup #WhitecapsFC #Canucks #BCLions #VancouverRise #PWHL
It may sound crazy that a restaurant cannot buy a bottle of wine at a licensed private store and then sell it to customers.
That is the way it is in B.C. Many want it changed.
Check out my story.
#retail #hospitality #BCGEU
That is the way it is in B.C. Many want it changed.
Check out my story.
#retail #hospitality #BCGEU
BCGEU strike prompts renewed calls for B.C. liquor law changes
Restaurant owners want to be able to buy booze from private liquor stores
www.biv.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:31 AM
It may sound crazy that a restaurant cannot buy a bottle of wine at a licensed private store and then sell it to customers.
That is the way it is in B.C. Many want it changed.
Check out my story.
#retail #hospitality #BCGEU
That is the way it is in B.C. Many want it changed.
Check out my story.
#retail #hospitality #BCGEU
Looked into border data for September.
B.C. drivers visited the U.S. 40% less than they did in September 2024. It's the eighth straight month of y/y monthly declines.
#travel #tourism
B.C. drivers visited the U.S. 40% less than they did in September 2024. It's the eighth straight month of y/y monthly declines.
#travel #tourism
B.C. drivers visit U.S. less for eighth straight month in September
B.C.-plated passenger-vehicle traffic to the U.S. via four border crossings dropped 40% last month versus September 2024
www.biv.com
October 2, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Exciting to see such a huge night for Vancouver soccer —
MLS’ Vancouver Whitecaps incredibly playing the lower Canadian Premier League’s Vancouver FC in a competitive Voyageurs Cup final.
Great win for the ‘Caps means inclusion in other tournaments.
#WhitecapsFC #VancouverFC
MLS’ Vancouver Whitecaps incredibly playing the lower Canadian Premier League’s Vancouver FC in a competitive Voyageurs Cup final.
Great win for the ‘Caps means inclusion in other tournaments.
#WhitecapsFC #VancouverFC
October 2, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Exciting to see such a huge night for Vancouver soccer —
MLS’ Vancouver Whitecaps incredibly playing the lower Canadian Premier League’s Vancouver FC in a competitive Voyageurs Cup final.
Great win for the ‘Caps means inclusion in other tournaments.
#WhitecapsFC #VancouverFC
MLS’ Vancouver Whitecaps incredibly playing the lower Canadian Premier League’s Vancouver FC in a competitive Voyageurs Cup final.
Great win for the ‘Caps means inclusion in other tournaments.
#WhitecapsFC #VancouverFC
Salmon n’ Bannock owner Inez Cook told me about her “expensive mistake” locating at Vancouver International Airport behind security.
She’s “hanging on by a thread.” And launching bannock mix #retail sales.
#restaurants #hospitality
She’s “hanging on by a thread.” And launching bannock mix #retail sales.
#restaurants #hospitality
Indigenous entrepreneurs seek success in B.C. culinary ventures
Authentic cuisine, craft beer thrive despite rising costs and uneven demand
www.biv.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Salmon n’ Bannock owner Inez Cook told me about her “expensive mistake” locating at Vancouver International Airport behind security.
She’s “hanging on by a thread.” And launching bannock mix #retail sales.
#restaurants #hospitality
She’s “hanging on by a thread.” And launching bannock mix #retail sales.
#restaurants #hospitality
Check out my look into the importance of where companies are based, and how to determine that location.
The proposed #AngloTeck merger hinges on where it would be based, and identifying that site is not as simple as knowing where the CEO gets up most mornings.
#incorporation
The proposed #AngloTeck merger hinges on where it would be based, and identifying that site is not as simple as knowing where the CEO gets up most mornings.
#incorporation
Proposed Anglo Teck merger may hinge on home base
Defining where a company is based is not as simple as where the CEO gets up each morning
www.biv.com
September 29, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Check out my look into the importance of where companies are based, and how to determine that location.
The proposed #AngloTeck merger hinges on where it would be based, and identifying that site is not as simple as knowing where the CEO gets up most mornings.
#incorporation
The proposed #AngloTeck merger hinges on where it would be based, and identifying that site is not as simple as knowing where the CEO gets up most mornings.
#incorporation
Here's my scoop that Cactus Club co-founder Richard Jaffray has bought a significant stake in the nearly 100-location Keg chain.
He sold his stake in Cactus in 2022, and bought into Hawsksworth. The Keg is a much bigger entity.
Jaffray will be chair of the board as well.
#restaurants #TheKeg
He sold his stake in Cactus in 2022, and bought into Hawsksworth. The Keg is a much bigger entity.
Jaffray will be chair of the board as well.
#restaurants #TheKeg
Cactus Club co-founder Richard Jaffray's firm buys into the Keg
"I've always admired the Keg and have been a longtime customer," Jaffray said in a statement.
www.biv.com
September 27, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Here's my scoop that Cactus Club co-founder Richard Jaffray has bought a significant stake in the nearly 100-location Keg chain.
He sold his stake in Cactus in 2022, and bought into Hawsksworth. The Keg is a much bigger entity.
Jaffray will be chair of the board as well.
#restaurants #TheKeg
He sold his stake in Cactus in 2022, and bought into Hawsksworth. The Keg is a much bigger entity.
Jaffray will be chair of the board as well.
#restaurants #TheKeg
Aritzia chairman Brian Hill wants Canada to eliminate its de minimis duty-exemption on small shipments, to match what the U.S. has done.
He claims Aritzia is at a 20% duty disadvantage for some parcels sent to Canada.
#retail #deminimis
He claims Aritzia is at a 20% duty disadvantage for some parcels sent to Canada.
#retail #deminimis
Aritzia chairman urges Canada to eliminate de minimis exemptions
Brian Hill said his company is at a 20 per cent duty disadvantage on e-commerce orders to Canadians valued at $150 or less.
www.biv.com
September 27, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Aritzia chairman Brian Hill wants Canada to eliminate its de minimis duty-exemption on small shipments, to match what the U.S. has done.
He claims Aritzia is at a 20% duty disadvantage for some parcels sent to Canada.
#retail #deminimis
He claims Aritzia is at a 20% duty disadvantage for some parcels sent to Canada.
#retail #deminimis
Found this at court: a Kamloops kid is taking American gaming giant Roblox to court, arguing that the game is too addictive and as a result has negative health effects
#gaming #lawsuits #Roblox
#gaming #lawsuits #Roblox
B.C. kid sues Roblox for its 'addictive' online gaming platform
Hours of daily play have allegedly prompted "anxiety, depression, irritability and mood swings."
www.biv.com
September 24, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Met Roots CEO Meghan Roach at the new Vancouver flagship store to discuss operations, as well as the COO of its Taiwanese partner that operates 120 stores on that island.
#retail #fashion #Roots
#retail #fashion #Roots
Roots launches new Robson Street flagship store in Vancouver
Store at Hornby Street replaces one that operated for decades at the corner of Robson and Burrard streets
www.biv.com
September 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM