Rose Blumkin, the Nebraska Furniture Mart founder who competed against Berkshire after selling her company

FinanceInternational24/7 Wall St.Nov 8, 2026, 7:26 PMAI summary

In Berkshire Hathaway's 1983 shareholder letter, Warren Buffett wrote that he would rather "wrestle grizzlies" than compete with Rose Blumkin, founder of Nebraska Furniture Mart. Berkshire bought the company that year. In 1989, according to Buffett's letter, Blumkin resigned after a family dispute over the carpet department and, at 96, opened a carpet and furniture business. In 1992 she sold her building and land to Nebraska Furniture Mart and signed a non-compete agreement.

In 40 seconds

Buffett praised Blumkin in the 1983 letter: he would rather wrestle grizzlies than compete with her.
Berkshire bought Nebraska Furniture Mart in 1983; the 1983 and 1992 letters differ on the stake acquired.
In 1989 Blumkin left the company after a family disagreement over carpets and opened her own business at 96.

Read the full story at 24/7 Wall St.

IASummary generated by artificial intelligence from a story by 24/7 Wall St.. It may contain errors: the original source prevails.

Berkshire Hathaway
Warren Buffett
Nebraska Furniture Mart
retail

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Rose Blumkin, the Nebraska Furniture Mart founder who competed against Berkshire after selling her company

In 40 seconds

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Keep reading

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With inflation near 6.5%, Colombia's government would pay a negative real interest rate in 2026

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"Forever cruise" Odyssey detained at Singapore port