Bowling Centers NAICS 713950

Aug 28, 2025 - Duckpin Bowling Gains Locations

• Duckpin bowling, a scaled-down version of traditional bowling, has been gaining popularity across the US, with cities such as Lansing and Charlottesville opening their first duckpin bowling alleys in summer 2025. Duckpin bowling, which has been around for more than a century, is coming back into favor due to its user-friendly format, with no special bowling shoes or equipment needed. Duckpin bowling incorporates smaller pins, shorter lanes, and a smaller ball about five inches in diameter. According to a WQRF report, duckpin is experiencing a resurgence, “especially in smaller entertainment venues where its compact size and nostalgic appeal attract a new generation of bowlers.”
• Indicators measuring the collective mood of US consumers show mixed signals, with consumer confidence levels slightly up and consumer sentiment falling. Consumer confidence levels, an indicator of discretionary expenditures, improved in July 2025, month over month, rising by 2 points, according to the Consumer Confidence Index. Consumer confidence levels have stabilized since May but remain lower than last year’s, according to The Conference Board, which publishes the monthly index. July’s gain can be attributed to consumers over 35 years old and shared across all income groups, except the lowest income group earning below $15K. In addition, the consumer sentiment index from the University of Michigan dropped in August 2025 for the first time in four months. The index fell to 58.6 in preliminary August data from 61.7 in July. Year-ahead inflation expectation results were higher monthly, as consumers convey lingering anxiety about prices amid tariff impacts. The index serves as a predictor of consumer spending as it indicates consumers’ perception of their financial prospects and the broader economy.

• Employment and wages for bowling centers were up in June 2025 year over year, increasing 6% and 3.7%, respectively, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment by bowling centers rose 12.9% in the past three years, higher than the 3.9% growth in overall private employment. Average wages for nonsupervisory employees at amusement, gambling, and recreational industry firms were $20.8 per hour in June 2025. According to the Consumer Price Index, prices for other recreation services, including leisure and entertainment activities, were up 4.4% in July 2025 year over year. Leading industry indicators showed improvement in February 2025, with consumer spending up 2.7% compared to a year ago, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
• The Arts, Entertainment & Recreation industry is one of seven industries reporting contraction in July’s Services ISM Report on Business. Executives in the Arts, Entertainment & Recreation industry reported decreases in new orders and inventories in July. Additional industries reporting contraction during the period were Accommodation & Food Services; Construction; Mining; Educational Services; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services. Industries reporting growth during the period were Transportation & Warehousing; Wholesale Trade; Finance & Insurance; Retail Trade; Other Services; Management of Companies & Support Services; Public Administration; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Information; Utilities; and Health Care & Social Assistance. Overall, economic activity in the services sector grew in July for the second consecutive month, with the Services PMI registering 50.1%.