Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton has revealed some particulars which have confirmed essential to the corporate’s success, and additional hints at future Pi outlets.

Chatting with Tom’s {Hardware} (opens in new tab), Upton defined that the corporate loved a wholesome December 2022, that means it was firmly on monitor for what he would have anticipated pre-pandemic. 

He later revealed the corporate’s bulk shopping for habits which have led it to have an abundance of provide, even throughout instances of chip shortages.

Raspberry Pi provide

Upton defined {that a} resolution was made to buy 500 wafers, every able to producing between 21,000 and 22,000 die for the RP2040 chip (every measuring about 2mm squared), which retails for round $1/£1. 

This transfer has led to a complete of 10 million RP2040 chips produced since 2021, resulting in a “stockpile” able to funnel into the favored Pico W variants (out there from $4/£3.60).

The corporate has additionally purchased different elements in massive numbers, akin to Wi-Fi fashions, to the tune of “thousands and thousands of items”. 

Upton was later requested whether or not the corporate would take into account opening extra Raspberry Pi shops. At present, a sole Cambridge-based store that first opened its doorways in February 2019 affords all method of {hardware}, equipment, and literature by Raspberry Pi and third events, with a number of different pop-ups showing up and down the UK over time.

Transferring ahead, “the following chapter” would seemingly be decided by additional trials of pop-up shops, nevertheless it was indicated that the corporate might cater to the massive Raspberry Pi neighborhood that has shaped in India in recent times.

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