The annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, has become a highly interactive and engaging event for attendees. This year's meeting kicked off with the "Berkshire Bazaar of Bargains," a shareholder-only shopping event held in downtown Omaha at the CHI Health Center. With over 20,000 square feet of showroom space, the exhibit hall features an array of products from Berkshire's various companies, including Warren Buffett-themed apparel and Berkshire chocolate coins from See’s Candies.
The meeting's main highlight is Warren Buffett's address, scheduled for Saturday at 9 a.m. ET. During this session, Buffett, along with his successor Greg Abel and insurance chief Ajit Jain, will tackle pressing issues such as tariffs, market volatility, and the state of the economy. This Q&A session will be exclusively broadcast on CNBC, providing valuable insights for investors.
Among the standout attractions at the shopping event is the plush toy sensation, Squishmallows, particularly those modeled after Buffett and the late Charlie Munger. These toys have become immensely popular, with shareholders purchasing over 1,000 dolls per hour. This year, a new limited-edition dog character named "Omaha" joins the lineup, adding to the excitement.
Berkshire's acquisition of Jazwares, the parent company of Squishmallows, came through the purchase of Alleghany in 2022. The squishy toys gained significant popularity during the pandemic, partly due to celebrity endorsements, with 100 million units sold in 2022 alone. Prices for these toys range from $5 to $30. At the event, Berkshire also introduced its latest product: pillows for both kids and adults, set to launch this summer. Shareholders have the exclusive opportunity to purchase special edition pillowcases featuring cartoon figures of Buffett and Munger.
Only one book is available at Berkshire's bookstore, Bookworm, this year: "60 Years of Berkshire Hathaway." This limited edition commemorates the six decades since Buffett took over the then-struggling Massachusetts textile company. Berkshire plans to sell 5,000 copies, with proceeds from an auction of signed copies benefiting the Stephen Center, a charity for homeless youth and adults in South Omaha.
Among the iconic Berkshire brands, See’s Candies presents an array of themed chocolates for sale. In line with the camping theme of this year’s meeting, they offer boxes of toasted marshmallow-flavored chocolates adorned with an illustration of Buffett by a campfire. Other items include chocolate coins with wrappers featuring Buffett's face and the company’s famous peanut brittle.
Dairy Queen, a Berkshire acquisition from 1998, offers sweet treats to attendees, selling Dilly Bars for $1 and Buster Bars for $2. Meanwhile, Brooks Running attracts shareholders with a special 2025 edition of its running shoes, branded with "Berkshire Hathaway." Many attendees also plan to join the Brooks "Invest in Yourself" 5K fun run and walk on Sunday.
New to the event this year is a gigantic claw machine, offering attendees a chance to win prizes related to several Berkshire companies for $10. Proceeds support the Hope Center for Kids, an Omaha-based organization providing care for children.
NetJets, acquired by Berkshire in 1998, allows shareholders to explore a private plane and purchase branded gear. For those concerned about fitting all their purchases into their luggage, AIT Worldwide Logistics offers a convenient shipping service. Attendees can have their items packed and sent home, a valuable service given the popularity of Squishmallows and other merchandise.
Finally, a separate shareholder-only shopping event at Borsheims, a jewelry store located 14 miles from the main convention center, offers unique pieces, including engagement rings and watches, at discounted prices. A standout item is a 24-carat black diamond necklace from Ruchi New York, selling for approximately $25,000.