Progress Retail Expands in Canada with Hillberg & Berk, Steel N Ink

Progress Retail Expands in Canada with Hillberg & Berk, Steel N Ink

Retail Tech Insights | Thursday, October 16, 2025

Progress Retail, now operating under Worksmith following its June 2025 acquisition, has announced new partnerships that expand its presence in the Canadian retail market. The store management platform has secured Hillberg & Berk, the Regina-based jewellery retailer, and Steel N Ink, a fast-growing tattoo and piercing studio brand, as clients. Both companies are experiencing accelerated expansion, making them natural partners for Progress Retail’s operational platform.

The addition of Hillberg & Berk and Steel N Ink highlights the increasing relevance of retail technology providers in Canada’s competitive retail landscape. Each represents a very different retail sector, with one focused on fine jewellery and the other on body art, yet both share an aggressive growth trajectory that requires scalable operational support.

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“As Canadian retailers expand coast to coast and into the United States, they need tools that are both easy to implement and powerful enough to support today’s complex retail workforce management needs,” said Ray Riley, Vice President of Retail at Worksmith. “We’re thrilled to partner with innovative brands like Hillberg & Berk and Steel N Ink, and to continue strengthening our investment in Canada.”

Progress Retail’s platform provides streamlined workforce management, training, and communication solutions, all designed to make scaling easier for retailers. For Canadian brands moving into national and even international markets, operational alignment is critical to maintaining consistency in both brand identity and customer experience.

Steel N Ink’s Rapid Growth

Steel N Ink has built a strong reputation in Canada as one of the country’s largest tattoo and piercing studio chains. With locations spanning Ontario and other provinces, the brand has positioned itself as a mainstream lifestyle retailer within the personal services space.

“Our growth requires a scalable platform that doesn’t slow us down,” said Jamie Randolph, CEO of Steel N Ink. “Progress Retail’s ease of use and support for multi-location operations make it the perfect partner as we continue to expand across Canada.”

By adopting Progress Retail’s platform, Steel N Ink is reinforcing its operational backbone at a time when consumer demand for body art continues to rise. The company has already established itself as a household name, and its future expansion depends on workforce systems that can handle scale without complexity.

Hillberg & Berk’s Jewellery Expansion

Founded in Saskatchewan, Hillberg & Berk has become a widely recognized Canadian jewellery brand. Known for its signature sparkle ball earrings and a commitment to celebrating women’s stories, the company has built a loyal following across Canada. The brand’s growing retail footprint, combined with wholesale partnerships and online strength, has necessitated a more unified operational platform.

“At Hillberg & Berk, we’re scaling faster than ever,” said Brett Halliday, Vice President of Retail & Wholesale at Hillberg & Berk. “Progress Retail will enable us to keep operations smooth and teams empowered, which is vital as we build out our retail presence nationwide.”

The jewellery brand’s ability to pair design excellence with empowerment-driven marketing has been central to its success. By aligning with Progress Retail, Hillberg & Berk is equipping itself to manage accelerated expansion while maintaining high levels of employee engagement.

Progress Retail’s Industry Recognition

The company’s recent industry recognition reinforces its momentum in the retail technology sector. In Fall 2025, Progress Retail received multiple G2 Badges, including Easiest to Do Business With, Easiest Setup, High Performer, and Momentum Leader. It was also named Store Management Platform of the Year 2025 by Retail Tech Insights, a reflection of its growing influence among multi-location retailers.

This recognition reflects the increasing demand for unified retail management systems. As retailers face challenges including labour shortages, high turnover, and complex supply chain dynamics, platforms like Progress Retail have become critical to ensuring business continuity and growth.

The Worksmith Acquisition

Progress Retail’s trajectory has been accelerated by its acquisition by Worksmith earlier in 2025. Austin-based Worksmith is a facilities maintenance and store experience management software company. By bringing Progress Retail under its umbrella, Worksmith has created a vertically integrated operations platform that unites facilities management, vendor oversight, workforce training, and in-store execution.

Progress Retail’s learning management and workforce engagement capabilities are expected to integrate with Worksmith’s vendor management and facilities solutions. Together, the platforms create a unified system that supports both the backend and the frontline.

Worksmith’s global retail clientele already includes brands such as Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Nespresso. Adding Progress Retail’s expertise in workforce training and retail execution extends this reach and positions the platform to support a broader range of brands.

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