Page 46 - BCM May 2024

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And in Europe, Krol adds, “If I noticeable decrease in sales of entry- Dykstra points to South Korea,
average it out, 87% of the centers we level balls, bags and shoes over the Southeast Asia and Europe as warm
are building are FECs.” past 15 months, driven primarily by markets, while North America remains
at said, don’t count out the sport the reduced number of new recre- hot. Ciniello agrees that Japan is a cold
entirely. As Jensen notes, there’s a ational bowlers investing in equip- market but sees it as an opportunity.
44-lane, state-of-the-art stadium about ment as compared to the boom that He adds that several parts of Europe
to open just outside Seoul, South occurred coming out of the pandemic are doing well and sees Vietnam as an
Korea. in 2022. e market for new bowlers emerging market.
“When I toured the facility, I’m not has tapered o a bit, but we anticipate Krol, whose company serves a vast
sure if I ever closed my mouth,” he that this market will rebound later this swath of Europe, polled his various
says. “Seeing it rst-hand reminded year.” o ces to gauge the relative health of
me of the rst time I walked into the Storm has long focused on the com- bowling across the continent. Reports
National Bowling Stadium (in Reno, petitive side of bowling, and Jensen indicate that while the Baltic states,
Nevada). I was in awe the entire tour. says that realm is evolving. Finland and Portugal are cool, other
Every detail that could have been “We are seeing the amateur-level markets are doing well. Germany,
thought of for a world-class bowling player grow and increase more than Switzerland, Austria, France, Den-
facility has been thought out, all the professional type,” he says. “ e mark, Sweden, Norway and the U.K.
the way down to the logistics of the exciting part of this movement is we are all considered warm, while the
parking garage.” are getting more requests for technical Netherlands and Belgium are hot.
A Q3 or Q4 opening is anticipated. support from the pro shop side, as e United States and Europe
Such venues serve as a reminder well as more requests on teaching remain strong markets for US Bowling,
that lane care — and lane care prod- amateur bowlers the technical aspects while western Europe, Scandinavia,
ucts — remain relevant even in an age of bowling — not only the mechanics Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and
when FEC and hybrid business models of bowling, but also the dynamics of Vietnam have complemented Kegel’s
are proliferating. bowling balls.” strong U.S. business.
“Our bread and butter is de nitely Jensen adds that the global bowling Frewing notes that bowling
the competitive bowling scene, but ball market is still trending in the right exploded in popularity in the United
FECs and hybrid centers still need to direction but is not without its chal- States during the 1950s and ’60s,
maintain their lanes,” says Chartrand. lenges. joined by Japan in the ’70s, Europe
“In a purely entertainment setting, “ ere have been some strong in the ’80s, Asia in the ’90s, Eastern
the centers will de nitely use less lane challenges that have been frustrating Europe in the 2000s and the Middle
conditioner, but hybrid centers tend because they are out of our control,” East over the past 10 years. He adds
to condition their lanes like traditional he says. “ e rst is the strength of the that while those markets are now
centers for consistency.” dollar. is has been especially hard in “pretty saturated,” they still provide an
Adds Chartrand: “ e various ways Japan, where the dollar has been at all- opportunity for growth via equipment
lane maintenance is implemented time highs to the yen. Other markets upgrades.
— from traditional centers to FECs to like Korea have battled the strength of Adds Chartrand: “ e new business
hybrids — remains similar around the the dollar, and there has been some models balancing recreation and sport
world.” relief in those markets compared to will ideally provide a solid nancial
Japan.” foundation for future success. We
The Consumer Side need bowling centers to be open and
Bowling’s consumer products sector A Look in the Crystal Ball thriving for a new generation of cus-
has long targeted the competitive Indeed, leaders almost unanimously tomers to fall in love with bowling and
side of the game — the league and/or see Japan — which has declined from become lifelong enthusiasts.”
tournament bowler hoping to improve more than 3,600 centers at its peak in Krol says he is optimistic about
their average or win some prize 1972 to around 660 post-COVID — as bowling’s future, in part because of its
money. How is it faring during this one of the industry’s few cold markets glorious past.
perceived period of transition? because of the country’s economic “Bowling is an evergreen [activity]
“League and tournament bowling woes. Two signs of hope: Most of the with a long and rich history,” he says.
remains strong, and this continued remaining centers are outperforming “It has adapted to today’s high-tech
success is providing steady sales for their pre-COVID numbers, and the world with a fresh look and feel. To
consumer products,” says Dykstra. South Korean market, which often me, that seems to be a perfect cocktail
“ e market for performance bowling parallels that of Japan, has seen its for success — for proprietors and
balls remains strong. ere has been a number of centers increase recently. manufacturers alike.”

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