Catalan Skittles is a newcomer in the Russian entertainment industry. But no doubt one day it will be really popular here.

Nowadays there are at least 551 bowling centers in Russia (we say ‘at least’ meaning that we might be unaware of some more centers). The number of the lanes is already over 4200...

What is your new position in KEGEL?

Since 2004, my main role has been supporting the Kegel distribution network throughout Europe. In February this year we have shifted that responsibility to Kegel Master Technician Don Agent. In this time I have also been the liaison for Kegel with the European Ten Pin Federation (ETBF), their highly successful European Bowling Tour (EBT) and with the EBT organizers who accept the Kegel lane maintenance sponsorship. I continue to be the liaison for Kegel for this in addition to performing work and writings for www.kegel.net.

Some people think that the idea of installing entertainments inside the trading centers was imposed to the developers by the entertainment industry. It’s not a secret – the entertainment centers (including bowling centers) pay less rent than the retailers. The analysis of consumer behavior allows to consider that only 9% of the mall’s clients enter the mall solely for shopping. 69% of them come there in order “to buy something and to have some fun”. That’s why the trading centers are willing to integrate the entertainment areas inside them.

The 67 bowling centers have been opened in Russia in 2006. In compare to 2005 (72 bowling centers) it’s a little bit less. But the total number of bowling lanes which started to operate in 2006 is 604, which is more than in 2005 (577 lanes). It reflects the growing tendency to enlargement of the bowling centers – to build the centers with the big number of lanes.