Why Vancouver Warehouse Demand Is Rebounding in 2025

Image Source: Pixabay | Why Vancouver Warehouse Demand Is Rebounding in 2025

The Vancouver logistics market is heating up again, and this time, the rebound is driven by smarter, more strategically positioned supply chains.

After a period of cooling in late 2023 and early 2024, marked by cautious inventory spending, rising borrowing costs, and shifting consumer behavior, the demand for warehouse space in Metro Vancouver is once again gaining momentum in 2025. But this is not simply a return to pre-2024 levels. Businesses are now pursuing warehousing with new priorities: strategic positioning, cross-border efficiency, operational flexibility, and integrated logistics support.

The resurgence in warehouse demand is especially strong among companies operating in e-commerce, retail distribution, consumer packaged goods, manufacturing, and international import/export via Pacific trade lanes.

Let’s break down what’s powering this rebound, and what it means for businesses placing Vancouver back on their supply chain map.

1. Vancouver’s Position as a Pacific Gateway Is Back in Focus

The Port of Vancouver remains Canada’s largest gateway for goods entering from Asia-Pacific. After a dip in container volumes in 2024 due to global inventory corrections, 2025 is showing renewed import activity as companies rebuild inventories and resume normalized stocking cycles.

• Increased container volumes are reviving demand for container destuffing, short-term storage, and inland distribution.

• Businesses are looking for warehouse partners with access to drayage, road, and rail networks to move goods quickly inland.

• Companies targeting both Canadian and U.S. West Coast markets are re-establishing Vancouver as their western logistics hub.

2. Canadian and U.S. Retailers Are Rebalancing Inventory Closer to Customers

During the slowdown of 2024, many companies attempted to operate leaner. However, disruptions driven by transport delays, shifting consumer demand, and unstable global supply chains encouraged a re-focus on localized inventory positioning.

In 2025, businesses are placing inventory in multiple regional hubs rather than relying on a single national DC model.

• Vancouver is increasingly part of a dual-hub strategy (e.g., GTA + Vancouver).

• Western Canadian consumers can be serviced faster and at lower delivery costs.

• U.S. exporters expanding into Canada are using Vancouver as their first entry point.

3. E-Commerce and Omnichannel Fulfillment Are Driving Faster Distribution Needs

Canadian e-commerce sales are projected to continue rising through 2025, with Western Canada playing a major role in rapid delivery expectations. Brands are moving from centralized fulfillment to regionalized “near-customer” warehousing models.

• Businesses need warehouses equipped for order fulfillment, pick-and-pack, and last-mile distribution.

• Vancouver enables next-day delivery to Greater Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and parts of Alberta.

• Cross-border e-commerce merchants targeting Canadian consumers are establishing their first forward-stocking locations in Vancouver.

4. Demand Is Shifting Toward Modern, Efficient, and Service-Enabled Facilities

The rebound is not just about more space, it’s about better space. Older warehouses without scalability, energy efficiency, food-grade certification, temperature control, or logistics support are becoming less desirable.

Instead, companies are searching for space aligned with flexible, future-ready operations:

• Modern layouts with cross-docking capabilities

• Temperature-controlled options for perishable goods

• Food-grade compliance for FMCG and retail supply chains

• Integrated transportation and fulfillment support

• Technology-enabled visibility and inventory control

5. Outsourced Logistics Models Are Becoming the Preferred Strategy

Rather than investing in their own distribution centers or committing to long-term leases during a period of market uncertainty, many businesses in 2025 are opting for third-party logistics (3PL) partnerships.

This allows them to maintain operational agility while still benefiting from a strategically located presence in Vancouver.

• 3PL models eliminate the need for capital-heavy infrastructure.

• Peak season scaling becomes easier with shared warehousing.

• Businesses can bundle warehousing, fulfillment, and transportation under one provider.

• Variable cost structures support more predictable budgeting and cash flow stability.

6. Cross-Border Trade Growth Is Strengthening Vancouver as a North American Logistics Hub

Vancouver offers a powerful advantage for companies operating across both U.S. and Canadian markets. With direct routes into Washington, Oregon, and onward to California, it is becoming a preferred staging location for transpacific imports destined for both domestic and cross-border markets.

• Companies can import through Vancouver, stage inventory locally, and distribute to Canadian and U.S. West Coast customers.

• U.S. brands entering Canada benefit from reduced transit times and simplified fulfillment.

• 3PLs with expertise in customs clearance, bonded warehousing, and cross-border compliance are in high demand.

7. Warehouse Development Constraints Make Existing Facilities More Valuable

Industrial land scarcity and strict zoning policies continue to challenge warehouse development in Metro Vancouver. Even though vacancy rates experienced a slight increase during 2024, the overall pipeline for new warehouse supply remains limited.

• As demand rises in 2025, available quality space is becoming competitive again.

• Tenants are moving quickly on flexible warehousing solutions to avoid future cost surges.

• Businesses preferring a “wait and see” approach in 2024 are now actively re-entering the market.

What This Rebound Means for Businesses in 2025

Whether you are expanding into Western Canada, preparing for growth, entering the Canadian market from abroad, or optimizing cross-border distribution, 2025 is a pivotal year for securing a strong logistics foothold in Vancouver. Businesses that position inventory closer to customers, ports, and transportation networks will gain significant delivery speed, cost-efficiency, and market responsiveness.

But success relies not only on securing space, but on partnering with a logistics provider equipped to scale, integrate services, and enhance supply chain performance.

How 3PL Links Supports Growing Warehouse Demand in Vancouver

3PL Links provides businesses with access to full-service warehousing and logistics support in the Vancouver market, backed by end-to-end transportation, fulfillment, temperature-controlled storage, and cross-border distribution capabilities.

3PL Links services in Vancouver include:

• Warehousing (standard, food-grade, temperature-controlled)

• Container destuffing and cross-docking

• Transloading to rail and road

• E-commerce and retail fulfillment

• LTL/FTL shipping across Canada and the U.S.

• Customs and cross-border support

• Short-term, long-term, and overflow storage

• Inventory visibility and performance reporting

Ready to Position Your Supply Chain Strategically in Vancouver?

As demand rebounds in 2025, the Vancouver warehouse market is shifting quickly. The businesses that act now will benefit from faster delivery, lower transportation costs, and stronger customer reach.

Get in touch with a logistics expert at 3PL Links to explore scalable warehousing, distribution, and 3PL options in Vancouver.