Who needs a shopping partner? Delhi startup CarryMen offers to carry your shopping bags

INDIA, May 26 — CarryMen, a Delhi startup, offers shopping assistants in markets like Lajpat Nagar, easing strain for families, elderly shoppers.

A Delhi-based startup has introduced a shopping assistance service aimed at reducing the physical strain associated with crowded local markets, offering customers help with carrying bags and navigating busy retail areas. The service, called CarryMen, operates on a simple model where trained assistants accompany shoppers through markets, helping them carry purchases, manage queues, and assist with logistics during shopping trips. The idea for the startup emerged from the founders’ personal experiences of visiting busy Delhi markets such as Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar and Chandni Chowk, where shopping often involves long walks, heavy bags and crowded conditions. The founders, who grew up in Delhi, identified that while shopping remains a popular activity, the physical effort involved can detract from the overall experience. As per an India Today report, spokesperson for the startup stated that while people enjoy shopping, they often dislike the physical stress of carrying multiple bags while navigating crowded spaces and managing food or other activities simultaneously, adding that the aim was to make the experience more comfortable and enjoyable.

CarryMen charges Rs 149 per hour, with customers able to choose between two, three or four-hour packages. The assigned assistant accompanies the shopper throughout the visit, carrying bags, helping locate shops, waiting in food queues, assisting until parking areas or metro gates, and identifying places where customers can sit and rest.

The service has also found relevance among customers requiring additional support. According to reports, pregnant women have used the service to ease movement through crowded markets while shopping for essentials. Parents with young children have also emerged as key users, with the startup offering stroller rentals at an additional hourly cost to assist families managing both children and shopping bags. The majority of bookings so far have reportedly come from elderly shoppers, particularly women purchasing clothing and household items such as curtains and bedsheets. The founders observed that many older customers were seeking practical assistance rather than luxury, including help with carrying bags, finding seating, ordering food or waiting for transport. To address these needs, the startup has introduced additional facilities such as portable camping chairs, allowing customers to rest during long shopping trips. Assistants can set up foldable chairs on request, while other provisions include umbrellas for weather protection, mobile charging support, power banks and hydration assistance. The spokesperson stated that the service extends beyond carrying bags and is focused on reducing stress and improving comfort, particularly for families, elderly shoppers and women. The service currently allows a weight limit of up to 12 kg per assistant, with customers required to book additional personnel for heavier loads.

CarryMen launched operations in April and has completed over 50 bookings within its first month. The startup has primarily grown through word-of-mouth and organic social media traction, without relying heavily on influencer-led promotions. At present, the service is operational in Lajpat Nagar, with plans underway to expand into Chandni Chowk in the near future. While services such as CarryMen aim to address logistical challenges associated with shopping, the experience of visiting markets with family members continues to hold emotional significance for many shoppers, reflecting the social and cultural dimension of retail outings in India.