Market Report
Vancouver Retail Market Report
2026 Investment Forecast
Lower Borrowing Costs and Greater Visitor Inflows Aid Retail Expansion
Recovery expected to take hold in 2026. Retail fundamentals in Vancouver softened in 2025 as vacancy climbed amid a rise in store closures linked to trade disruptions and weaker consumer sentiment. While these challenges may linger into 2026, the outlook for the year points to a gradual recovery supported by improving economic conditions and renewed spending momentum. Lower interest rates are expected to ease household debt burdens — historically elevated in Vancouver — helping to lift consumption and retail sales activity. Tourism will also play a key role in driving consumer spending this year. The upcoming FIFA 2026 World Cup and growing domestic travel intentions amid ongoing Canada-U.S. trade tensions are expected to draw a significant influx of visitors from within Canada and abroad. These factors are likely to bolster retailer confidence and reinforce leasing activity across the metro. On the supply side, the delayed opening of Oakridge Park will introduce a wave of high-quality space to the market, contributing to an increase in completions. However, overall development will remain disciplined, with most additional projects concentrated in mixed-use formats.
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