Who Owns Nebraska Furniture Mart?

NFM does not publish a standalone sustainability report. As a privately held subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, NFM does not file independent financial reports or sustainability disclosures. Berkshire Hathaway does not publish brand-level ESG data for its subsidiary companies.

Mrs. B's Founding Philosophy: NFM's ethical foundation is rooted in Rose Blumkin's principle: "sell cheap and tell the truth." This emphasis on transparent pricing and honest product descriptions remains a core part of the company's identity. In an industry where hidden fees and deceptive pricing are common, NFM's commitment to transparent pricing is a genuine differentiator.

Forbes Customer Service Recognition (2025): NFM was ranked #11 on Forbes' list of best customer service companies in the United States and #1 in the home furnishings category. This recognition is based on customer surveys and reflects NFM's investment in staff training and customer service.

No Published Environmental Data: NFM does not publish carbon footprint data, energy consumption figures, waste diversion rates, or sustainable sourcing percentages. The company does not hold B Corp certification, LEED certification, or other independent sustainability certifications that are publicly verifiable. As a furniture retailer, NFM's environmental impact comes primarily from product sourcing (wood, textiles, metals), transportation and delivery, and store energy consumption.

Community Engagement: The Rose Blumkin Foundation supports community initiatives in Omaha. The Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center in Omaha is named after the founder. NFM supports local organizations in the communities where it operates, though the company does not publish a comprehensive list of charitable contributions.

Berkshire Hathaway Corporate Standards: As part of Berkshire Hathaway, NFM is subject to the parent company's corporate governance standards. Berkshire is known for ethical business practices and long-term value creation, though it does not publish detailed ESG reports at the subsidiary level.

• Forbes Best Customer Service (2025): NFM was ranked #11 on Forbes' list of best customer service companies in the United States and #1 in the home furnishings category. This is a publicly verifiable award based on customer surveys.
• PRSA Nebraska Paper Anvil Award of Excellence (2025): NFM received the Paper Anvil Award of Excellence in Influencer Marketing from the Public Relations Society of America Nebraska chapter.

Beyond these verifiable awards, NFM's recognition comes primarily from its 88-year history and its status as one of the most admired companies in the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio. Warren Buffett has consistently praised NFM in his annual shareholder letters, calling Mrs. B one of the greatest businesspeople he has ever known. Buffett once said: "Put her up against the top graduates of the top business schools or chief executives of the Fortune 500 and, assuming an even start with the same resources, she'd run rings around them."

Rose Blumkin received honorary degrees from New York University and Creighton University, recognizing her contributions to business and entrepreneurship. The Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center in Omaha serves as a lasting tribute to her legacy.

Mrs. B's Competing Store (1989-1992): After being pushed into retirement at age 95, Rose Blumkin opened a competing furniture store across the street from NFM called "Mrs. B's Clearance and Factory Outlet." Buffett had not included a noncompete clause in the 1983 acquisition, so she was free to compete. Within two years, her new store became the third-largest carpet outlet in Omaha. Buffett eventually bought her out again, this time with proper legal paperwork. This episode is one of the most famous stories in Berkshire Hathaway lore and is frequently cited as evidence of Mrs. B's extraordinary entrepreneurial drive.

Kansas City Store Opening Problems (2003-2005): The Kansas City store opening was plagued with operational problems for nearly two years. The store was overwhelmed by customer traffic, deliveries lagged by more than 30 days, and the initial rush of customers never let up. NFM president Ron Blumkin initially told Buffett he had no plans to open another store after the Kansas City difficulties. The experience led to much more careful planning for the eventual Texas location, which opened successfully in 2015.

Cedar Park Geographic Overlap (2025): NFM's announcement of a Cedar Park, Texas store (near Austin) created the first geographic overlap between Berkshire Hathaway's furniture brands. Star Furniture, another Berkshire subsidiary, has a store in Pflugerville, an Austin suburb. Previously, Berkshire's furniture brands operated in non-overlapping territories. This has raised questions about whether Berkshire plans to consolidate its furniture brands, sell Star Furniture, or allow the two to compete in the same market. Berkshire has not publicly addressed these questions.

No Product Recalls: There have been no CPSC recalls specific to NFM as a retailer. NFM sells products manufactured by third parties, and any recalls of specific products would be initiated by the manufacturer, not by NFM. CPSC recall data does not list NFM as a recalling firm.

No Major Lawsuits: NFM has not been the subject of any major publicly reported lawsuits, regulatory actions, or scandals. The company maintains a low public profile and operates in a limited number of markets. Berkshire Hathaway's decentralized management structure means that NFM operates autonomously and is not typically involved in controversies at the parent company level.