The Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholder meeting, often referred to as "Woodstock for Capitalists," is a major event for investors and fans of Warren Buffett. While the primary focus is on business updates and investment philosophy, the event also offers unique opportunities for attendees to access products from Berkshire's subsidiaries at discounted prices or as part of promotional activities. According to the provided source materials, these opportunities primarily manifest as a dedicated shopping event and specific product sales that occur during the meeting weekend.
The Berkshire Bazaar of Bargains
One of the most significant opportunities for attendees to acquire products is the "Berkshire Bazaar of Bargains." This is a shareholder-only shopping event that takes place at the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha.
- Scope and Layout: The bazaar occupies over 20,000 square feet of showroom space. It features goods from a wide array of Berkshire Hathaway's subsidiary companies.
- Product Offerings: The exhibit hall offers a variety of items. For example, it includes Warren Buffett-themed apparel from Brooks Sports and chocolate coins from See's Candies.
- Interactive Elements: The 2025 meeting featured an interactive component to the shopping experience, including a giant claw machine.
- Shopping Event Timing: The bazaar kicks off the event on the Friday before the main shareholder meeting on Saturday.
Specific Products and Promotional Items
Several sources highlight specific products that are popular or available during the meeting weekend. These items are often sold at a discount or featured as promotional novelties.
- Squishmallows: Plush toys, specifically Squishmallows, have been a major attraction. In 2025, Squishmallows modeled after Warren Buffett and the late Charlie Munger were popular, with shareholders purchasing over 1,000 units per hour. A new limited-edition dog character named "Omaha" was also introduced that year. Berkshire Hathaway owns the parent company of Squishmallows, Jazwares, through its acquisition of Alleghany.
- See's Candies: See's Candies is a recurring presence at the meeting. In 2025, sales of See's Candy were described as record-breaking. The brand sells its products, including the Berkshire chocolate coins mentioned earlier, at the meeting.
- Other Subsidiary Products: A source from Investopedia details significant sales volumes for products from various subsidiaries during a previous meeting week. These figures illustrate the scale of product availability and discounting:
- Justin Boots: 1,090 pairs sold (a pair every 30 seconds).
- See's Candy: 10,010 pounds sold.
- Quikut Knives: 12,879 knives sold (24 knives per minute).
- Wells Lamont Gloves: 5,784 pairs sold.
- Bookstore: A bookstore is also present at the event. In 2025, the biography "Poor Charlie's Almanac" was noted for its popularity at the bookstore.
Access and Eligibility
To access these freebies and discounted products, specific requirements must be met.
- Shareholder Status: The primary requirement for attending the meeting and accessing the associated shopping events is to hold official meeting credentials (badges). These credentials are available to shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway.
- Share Requirement: To obtain credentials, an individual must own at least one share of Berkshire Hathaway stock, either Class A (BRK.A) or Class B (BRK.B). A single Class B share is sufficient to qualify.
- Non-Shareholder Access: While the shopping bazaar and other events are designated for shareholders, there is a mention that non-shareholders might sometimes acquire meeting passes from shareholders through secondary markets. However, the primary and intended method of access is through direct share ownership.
The meeting itself is a significant event, attracting approximately 40,000 attendees. It includes a Q&A session with Warren Buffett and other executives, which is broadcast on CNBC. The event serves as a networking opportunity and a chance to purchase products from Berkshire's holdings at a discount, as noted in the sources.
Conclusion
The Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting offers more than just financial insights; it provides a unique marketplace for consumers to purchase goods from the conglomerate's subsidiaries. The "Berkshire Bazaar of Bargains" is the central hub for these activities, featuring a wide range of products from brands like See's Candies, Brooks Sports, and Squishmallows. Access to these opportunities is primarily reserved for official shareholders who hold a valid meeting badge, which requires ownership of at least one Class A or Class B share of Berkshire Hathaway stock.
Sources
- How To Attend The Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholder’s Meeting (2026)
- How to Attend Berkshire Hathaway's Annual Meeting
- Highlights of the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting
- Highlights from the 2025 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting: Record Cash, Apple Strategy, and Enduring Principles
- Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting
- Berkshire meeting bazaar features Buffett Squishmallows, 60th-anniversary book and giant claw machine