[gambiting]

Isn't the whole raspberry pi company set up as a foundation/charity? They probably take a loss on the store to promote the idea.

[michaelt]

Right, but resources they spend running a loss-making store are resources they don't get to spend on other opportunities that might better advance their foundation's goal.

Staffing a shop with skilled EEs could get expensive fast.

[kingosticks]

I don't mean any disrespect to anyone but I don't think they need to staff the store with "skilled EEs" to make the store a success.