{"id":3581,"date":"2026-05-01T22:18:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T22:18:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/berkshire-hathaways-shopping-extravaganza-draws-lighter-crowds-as-spotlight-shifts-to-greg-abel\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T22:18:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T22:18:29","slug":"berkshire-hathaways-shopping-extravaganza-draws-lighter-crowds-as-spotlight-shifts-to-greg-abel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/berkshire-hathaways-shopping-extravaganza-draws-lighter-crowds-as-spotlight-shifts-to-greg-abel\/","title":{"rendered":"Berkshire Hathaway\u2019s shopping extravaganza draws lighter crowds as spotlight shifts to Greg Abel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"RegularArticle-ArticleBody-5\" data-module=\"ArticleBody\" data-test=\"articleBody-2\" data-analytics=\"RegularArticle-articleBody-5-2\"><span class=\"HighlightShare-hidden\" style=\"top:0;left:0\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"InlineImage-imageEmbed\" id=\"ArticleBody-InlineImage-108300895\" data-test=\"InlineImage\">\n<div class=\"InlineImage-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<p>Squishmallow display the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Sarah Min | CNBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"group\">\n<p>OMAHA, Nebraska \u2014 At the cavernous exhibit hall inside CHI Health Center Omaha, the annual &#8220;Berkshire Bazaar of Bargains&#8221; is still stocked with fan-favorite deals, just with a bit more breathing room this year.<\/p>\n<p>The 20,000-square-foot shopping event tied to <span class=\"QuoteInBody-quoteNameContainer\" data-test=\"QuoteInBody\" id=\"RegularArticle-QuoteInBody-1\">Berkshire Hathaway<span class=\"QuoteInBody-inlineButton\"><span class=\"AddToWatchlistButton-watchlistContainer\" id=\"-WatchlistDropdown\" data-analytics-id=\"-WatchlistDropdown\"><button class=\"AddToWatchlistButton-watchlistButton\" aria-label=\"Add To Watchlist\" data-testid=\"dropdown-btn\"><span class=\"AddToWatchlistButton-addWatchListFromTag\"\/><\/button><\/span><\/span><\/span>&#8216;s annual meeting features its usual lineup: Warren Buffett-themed gear from Brooks Sports and chocolate coins from See&#8217;s Candies, alongside merchandise from dozens of subsidiaries. But unlike past years, lines were shorter and the crowds noticeably thinner.<\/p>\n<p>The event came as Buffett, the 95-year-old chairman who has defined the gathering for decades, is no longer expected to headline the marquee Q&amp;A session in the same way, ceding the spotlight to Greg Abel, who took over as CEO at the beginning of 2026. <\/p>\n<p>Abel made a point of stopping by every booth in the hall, greeting employees and shaking hands with shareholders. Lines of shareholders formed as he made his way through the hall. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage-imageEmbed\" id=\"ArticleBody-InlineImage-108300875\" data-test=\"InlineImage\">\n<div class=\"InlineImage-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<p>Greg Abel, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, meets with shareholders at the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>David A. Grogan | CNBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"group\">\n<p>Squishmallows \u2014 the plush toy phenomenon owned by Jazwares that Berkshire gained through its 2022 acquisition of Alleghany Corporation \u2014 once again pulled in crowds, including for a new Abel-themed plush.<\/p>\n<p>Adam Padawer, president of Jazwares, told CNBC that Abel was &#8220;engaged, interested and involved,&#8221; noting the CEO helped design his own Squishmallow. The company also partnered with other Berkshire brands including BNSF Railway, NetJets, GEICO and See&#8217;s Candies on special-edition versions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage-imageEmbed\" id=\"ArticleBody-InlineImage-108300896\" data-test=\"InlineImage\">\n<div class=\"InlineImage-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<p>Squishmallow display the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Sarah Min | CNBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage-imageEmbed\" id=\"ArticleBody-InlineImage-108300861\" data-test=\"InlineImage\">\n<div class=\"InlineImage-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<p>Squishmallows on display at the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Yun Li | CNBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage-imageEmbed\" id=\"ArticleBody-InlineImage-108300851\" data-test=\"InlineImage\">\n<div class=\"InlineImage-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<p>Squishmallows on display at the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Yun Li | CNBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage-imageEmbed\" id=\"ArticleBody-InlineImage-108300852\" data-test=\"InlineImage\">\n<div class=\"InlineImage-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<p>Squishmallows on display at the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Yun Li | CNBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"group\">\n<p>See&#8217;s Candies \u2014 one of Berkshire&#8217;s most iconic brands \u2014 leaned into the moment with shelves of themed chocolate treats and cardboard cutouts of Buffett and Abel playing hockey, a nod to Abel&#8217;s Canadian roots and well-known love of the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage-imageEmbed\" id=\"ArticleBody-InlineImage-108300813\" data-test=\"InlineImage\">\n<div class=\"InlineImage-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<p>See&#8217;s Candies display at the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Yun Li | CNBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage-imageEmbed\" id=\"ArticleBody-InlineImage-108300812\" data-test=\"InlineImage\">\n<div class=\"InlineImage-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<p>See&#8217;s Candies display at the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Yun Li | CNBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"group\">\n<p>Brooks Running was also leaning into the Berkshire fandom, selling a 2026 special edition of its running shoes featuring &#8220;Berkshire Hathaway&#8221; branding along the side and on the insoles. <\/p>\n<p>Nearly 2,000 shareholders are expected to take part in the Brooks &#8220;Invest in Yourself&#8221; 5K fun run and walk on Sunday morning following the annual meeting, with participants set to tackle a new course this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage-imageEmbed\" id=\"ArticleBody-InlineImage-108300827\" data-test=\"InlineImage\">\n<div class=\"InlineImage-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<p>A Brooks show on display at the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Yun Li | CNBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage-imageEmbed\" id=\"ArticleBody-InlineImage-108300811\" data-test=\"InlineImage\">\n<div class=\"InlineImage-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<p>Justin Boots display at the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Yun Li | CNBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage-imageEmbed\" id=\"ArticleBody-InlineImage-108300839\" data-test=\"InlineImage\">\n<div class=\"InlineImage-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<p>A Pilot display at the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Yun Li | CNBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage-imageEmbed\" id=\"ArticleBody-InlineImage-108300833\" data-test=\"InlineImage\">\n<div class=\"InlineImage-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<p>Signage for Marmon Holdings on display at the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Sarah Min | CNBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ArticleBody-googlePreferredSourceContainer\" data-module=\"GooglePreferredSource\" data-id=\"RegularArticle-GooglePreferredSource-5\">Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Squishmallow display the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 1, 2026. Sarah Min | CNBC OMAHA, Nebraska \u2014 At the cavernous exhibit hall inside CHI Health Center Omaha, the annual &#8220;Berkshire Bazaar of Bargains&#8221; is still stocked with fan-favorite deals, just with a bit more breathing room this year. The 20,000-square-foot [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3582,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[2136,1662,3289,3252,3287,2498,1663,3288,3291,1812,3290],"class_list":["post-3581","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-loan","tag-abel","tag-berkshire","tag-crowds","tag-draws","tag-extravaganza","tag-greg","tag-hathaways","tag-lighter","tag-shifts","tag-shopping","tag-spotlight"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3581","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3581"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3581\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3581"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3581"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3581"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}