At the NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. (NYSE: HPE) unveiled an extensive expansion of its retail-ready portfolio aimed at revolutionizing the way retailers manage connectivity, security, and operational insights. The company’s latest innovations promise to enhance the shopping experience, optimize operational efficiency, and ensure that transactions are processed with utmost reliability and security across various retail environments.

2. Expanded Solutions for Retail Modernization

HPE showcased its advanced offerings that integrate self-driving networks through HPE Aruba Networking CX switching and Mist AIOps, combined with the robust HPE Nonstop solutions. These technologies are designed to provide secure and resilient connectivity, which is essential for the modernization of retail operations.

Key Features of the New Offerings

HPE Nonstop Compute Solutions

The newly introduced HPE Nonstop Compute NS9 X5 and NS5 X5 solutions are crafted for environments requiring uninterrupted service. These compute solutions ensure that transactions remain active and data stays accessible even during peak demand periods, safeguarding revenue streams for retailers.

HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 Switch Series

Expanding the networking portfolio, HPE launched the new 8-port models in the CX 6000 Switch Series. These switches are designed for flexible deployment in high-demand areas like checkout lanes and provide a silent operational design, facilitating seamless integration of modern retail devices.

Insights from HPE Executives

Sujai Hajela, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Campus & Branch at HPE, emphasized the importance of reliability in modern retail. “In modern retail, a single lost transaction is a lost customer or a damaged reputation,” he stated. Hajela further noted that HPE’s innovative solutions empower retailers with the necessary tools to meet evolving shopper demands while ensuring continuous operations.

3. Enhancements to Business Insight and User Assurance

Business Insight Innovations

HPE is enhancing its retail insights capabilities by integrating Marvis, a virtual network assistant, with HPE Juniper Networking Premium Analytics. This collaboration provides retailers with actionable insights through location intelligence and network performance data, enabling proactive decision-making across IT, business operations, and marketing teams.

User Assurance Developments

The introduction of HPE Aruba Networking User Experience Insight aims to serve as an early warning system for organizations modernizing their networks. By supporting Wi-Fi 7, these sensors help identify potential issues caused by network changes, thereby protecting revenue and ensuring a smooth user experience.

4. Advancements in HPE Nonstop Compute

To meet the increasing demands for digital transformation in retail, HPE is enhancing its Nonstop portfolio with significant advancements:

Performance and Scale

The new HPE Nonstop solutions can scale linearly to up to 4,000 nodes, providing up to 15% more performance capacity compared to previous models. This scalability ensures that retailers can handle growing transaction volumes and the demands of data-rich applications.

Data Protection Enhancements

The introduction of Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) strengthens security around sensitive customer data, aiding retailers in meeting evolving data privacy and compliance requirements.

5. Flexible IT Solutions Through HPE GreenLake

Both the HPE Nonstop Compute and Aruba Networking CX Switching solutions are available through the HPE GreenLake cloud platform, allowing retailers to align IT investments with business outcomes through a flexible, subscription-based model.

6. Future-Ready Retail Transformation

By leveraging a unified data fabric across both the edge and core infrastructures, retailers can enhance customer engagement and operational efficiency. HPE’s solutions enable easy scalability and integration of AI-native capabilities, simplifying operations while providing deeper insights into shopping experiences.

7. Conclusion: A New Era for Retail

HPE’s expanded offerings at NRF 2026 signify a substantial step forward in supporting retailers’ efforts to modernize their operations. The combination of advanced networking, compute solutions, and AI insights positions HPE as a leader in empowering retailers to thrive in an increasingly competitive market. Retailers interested in exploring these innovations can visit HPE’s showcase at booth 3203 for more insights into the future of retail technology.

Availability

The HPE Nonstop Compute solutions and HPE Aruba Networking CX 6000 Switch Series are available for purchase today through HPE and its global channel partners.

Original press release