It was 1937, and as America was still clawing its way out of the Great Depression, a young immigrant from Belarus, Rose Blumkin—known as “Mrs. B”—stood inside her husband’s pawn shop in Omaha, Nebraska, looking at the modest collection of used furniture she had gathered. With a thick accent, broken English, and just $500 in savings, she opened a small furniture business in the shop’s basement. Mrs. B had no formal education but a sharp entrepreneurial mind and a simple business philosophy: “Sell cheap, tell the truth, and don’t cheat nobody.” Her basement store was unassuming, but it marked the beginning of Nebraska Furniture Mart, one of the largest and most successful furniture retailers in the United States. Today, Nebraska Furniture Mart generates over $1.5 billion in annual revenue, operating enormous retail locations spanning hundreds of thousands of square feet and serving millions of customers each year. This is how one woman’s grit and vision transformed a humble basement store into an American retail giant.
The Founding of Nebraska Furniture Mart: A Humble Beginning
The story of Nebraska Furniture Mart begins with its legendary founder, Rose Blumkin, or “Mrs. B,” as she came to be affectionately known. Born in Belarus in 1893, Rose emigrated to the United States in 1917, escaping war and poverty. When she arrived in America, she settled in Omaha, Nebraska, where she lived a modest life. Over the years, she learned about business by working in her husband’s pawn shop. Despite limited resources and an education that didn’t go beyond elementary school, Mrs. B had an entrepreneurial spirit and a deep understanding of what customers wanted: good value for their money.
In 1937, with just $500 borrowed from friends and family, Mrs. B opened Nebraska Furniture Mart in the basement of her husband’s pawn shop. The modest operation offered new and used furniture at prices that undercut the competition. Mrs. B’s simple business philosophy—”sell cheap and tell the truth”—resonated with Depression-era customers looking for affordable, honest deals. Her reputation for integrity and fair prices quickly spread, and the store’s business grew steadily.
Despite fierce competition from established retailers in Omaha, Mrs. B’s no-nonsense pricing strategy allowed Nebraska Furniture Mart to thrive. By the mid-1950s, Nebraska Furniture Mart had grown into a full-fledged retail business and moved to a more prominent location. Mrs. B’s success was no accident—it was driven by her hard work, determination, and commitment to treating customers fairly.
Growth and Expansion: From Omaha to National Retailer
Nebraska Furniture Mart’s business grew steadily throughout the mid-20th century, primarily driven by Mrs. B’s philosophy of offering low prices and a wide selection. By the 1970s, the company had outgrown its location again and expanded into a sprawling 200,000-square-foot retail space in Omaha. As the company grew, it offered furniture and expanded into appliances, electronics, flooring, and home décor, becoming a comprehensive destination for home furnishings.
In 1983, the company caught the attention of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, who was so impressed by Mrs. B’s business acumen and personal integrity that he decided to buy a majority stake in Berkshire Hathaway. The deal was made on a handshake—Buffett famously said he didn’t need a contract with Mrs. B because her word was better than any piece of paper. The purchase price? A cool $60 million for 90% of the business.
With Berkshire Hathaway’s backing, Nebraska Furniture Mart expanded further while maintaining Mrs. B’s core values. The first significant expansion came in 1994, when the company opened its second location in Clive, Iowa. This expansion marked Nebraska Furniture Mart’s transition from a regional retailer to a multi-state powerhouse. The new stores replicated the successful Omaha model: massive showrooms filled with an extensive range of products, all offered at competitive prices.
The Business Model: Big Stores, Big Savings
Nebraska Furniture Mart’s business model is unique in the retail world. The company operates enormous retail spaces, many more extensive than several football fields combined. This allows the company to showcase a vast selection of products, giving customers more choices than they would find at typical furniture stores.
The flagship store in Omaha is a staggering 450,000 square feet, while the Kansas City location, which opened in 2003, spans 712,000 square feet. The most prominent location in The Colony, Texas—part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area—opened in 2015 and is a mind-boggling 560,000 square feet of retail space, with a total footprint (including warehouses and other facilities) of nearly 1.9 million square feet. These massive stores allow Nebraska Furniture Mart to stock and display various products, from furniture and flooring to appliances and electronics.
One of the keys to Nebraska Furniture Mart’s success is its ability to buy in bulk, allowing the company to negotiate better prices with manufacturers. By leveraging its enormous buying power, the company can offer lower prices than many competitors, a strategy that has kept customers coming back for decades. Mrs. B’s original commitment to “sell cheap” remains central to the company’s business model today. According to company data, Nebraska Furniture Mart frequently undercuts its competitors by 10-20% on popular items, and it is known for hosting significant sales events like its annual Labor Day and Black Friday promotions, where discounts can exceed 50%.
Nebraska Furniture Mart by the Numbers
Nebraska Furniture Mart’s growth has been extraordinary over the past few decades. According to Furniture Today, the company generates over $1.5 billion in annual revenue, making it one of the largest furniture retailers in the United States. Regarding square footage, Nebraska Furniture Mart ranks among the country’s five biggest furniture retailers.
Each company’s four locations (Omaha, Kansas City, Des Moines, and The Colony) draw millions of visitors annually. The Dallas-Fort Worth store alone sees nearly 8 million visitors annually, reflecting the company’s ability to draw customers from hundreds of miles away. Nebraska Furniture Mart’s Texas location has become a tourist destination, attracting visitors from neighboring states like Oklahoma and Louisiana.
As of 2023, Nebraska Furniture Mart employs over 5,000 people across its four locations. The company’s combination of low prices, large selection, and excellent customer service has helped it maintain a loyal customer base and continue to grow in a competitive market.
E-Commerce and Digital Transformation
While Nebraska Furniture Mart’s business is built around its sprawling physical stores, it has adapted to the digital age by investing in its online presence. In recent years, the retailer has significantly expanded its e-commerce platform, allowing customers to browse its massive inventory and make purchases online.
The company’s website features detailed product descriptions, high-resolution images, customer reviews, and financing options, making it easier for customers to shop from their homes. In 2022, e-commerce accounted for nearly 15% of Nebraska Furniture Mart’s total revenue, which continues to grow as more consumers shift toward online shopping.
Nebraska Furniture Mart has also invested in integrating its online and offline operations, offering services like in-store pickup and same-day delivery for many items. This omnichannel approach allows the company to compete with online retailers like Amazon and Wayfair while leveraging its massive physical locations as a key differentiator.
Community Involvement and Charitable Work
Nebraska Furniture Mart has long been committed to giving back to the communities it serves. The company is involved in numerous charitable initiatives, from local food drives to large-scale partnerships with organizations like Habitat for Humanity. In 2021, Nebraska Furniture Mart donated over $1 million in furniture and home goods to needy families through various charitable programs.
The company also participates in sustainability initiatives, focusing on reducing its environmental impact through energy-efficient practices in its stores and warehouses. Nebraska Furniture Mart’s Omaha and Texas locations have received certifications for their energy-saving designs, and the company continues to explore new ways to minimize its carbon footprint.
The Future of Nebraska Furniture Mart
Looking ahead, Nebraska Furniture Mart shows no signs of slowing down. With its proven business model, strong online presence, and continued focus on offering value to customers, the company is well-positioned to continue growing in the years to come.
There are rumors that the company may explore additional expansion opportunities, potentially opening new stores in untapped markets across the Midwest and Southwest. As consumer demand for home furnishings continues to grow, Nebraska Furniture Mart is poised to remain a leader in the industry.
Conclusion: A Lasting Legacy of Value and Integrity
From its humble beginnings in a basement to its current status as one of the largest furniture retailers in the U.S., Nebraska Furniture Mart’s story is a testament to the power of hard work, honesty, and a commitment to offering customers the best value. Rose Blumkin’s vision—selling high-quality products at low prices while treating customers with integrity—has stood the test of time and remains at the heart of Nebraska Furniture Mart’s success. As the company grows, its legacy as a trusted, value-driven retailer will endure for generations.
