News

Advanced Search

Supply Issues Curb Retail Sales at Berkshire Hathaway

Nov 7, 2022 8:34 AM   By Leah Meirovich
Comment Comment Email Email Print Print Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Share Share


RAPAPORT...
Growth at the retail division of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway slowed in the third quarter as supply-chain issues led to an inventory shortage.

The unit — which includes jewelry chains Borsheims, Helzberg Diamonds and Ben Bridge Jeweler — saw sales increase 5% year on year to $4.8 billion, the company reported Saturday. That represented a gentler rise than the 8% gain the company noted the previous year. Pretax earnings for retail fell 4% to $396 million.

The inventory challenges primarily affected sales of cars, which make up the largest portion of Berkshire’s retail division.

“Unit sales continue to be constrained by low new-vehicle production...attributable to the ongoing global computer-chip shortages and other supply-chain disruptions,” the company explained.

Revenues from manufacturing of consumer products, including jewelry maker Richline Group, slipped 6% to $3.69 billion, while pretax earnings slid 44% to $272 million.

Image: A Borsheims store in Nebraska. (Borsheims)
 
Tags: Ben Bridge Jeweler, Berkshire Hathaway, borsheims, Helzberg Diamonds, Jewelry, Leah Meirovich, richline group, warren buffett
Similar Articles
Comments: (0)  Add comment Add Comment
Arrange Comments Last to First