Coventry‑based innovator reimagines physical shopping with hands‑free delivery, AI sourcing and global reach
The ritual of shopping is changing. While e‑commerce offers convenience, millions of people still love visiting brick‑and‑mortar stores. Yet lugging bags from boutique to boutique is tiring and not every city has the same range of luxury brands. Coventry‑based start‑up WeCarryBags saw this problem first‑hand and set out to solve it, blending technology, logistics and human expertise. Their mission: make in‑store shopping “as easy as online” by turning every boutique into a click‑and‑collect experience.
Hands‑free shopping: turning the high street into click‑and‑collect
At the heart of WeCarryBags is its hands‑free shopping service. Shoppers explore their favourite stores, scan a single QR code in the WeCarryBags app and leave their purchases behind. The company’s logistics team collects the bags and delivers them to a chosen address or hotel at a flexible time. This simple workflow bridges physical retail and the convenience of online delivery while reducing carbon emissions by consolidating multiple purchases into one drop. The service already operates across numerous shopping districts, and customers can search for products both offline and online locations across the UK and Europe, ensuring that store visits remain enjoyable without the burden of carrying purchases.
Personal shopping for locals and collectors
Not all brands operate stores in every UK city, and limited‑edition releases often never appear online. WeCarryBags’ personal shopping service addresses this gap. The company’s team, backed by AI, searches across offline boutiques and verified online stockists to locate items; they then purchase and deliver those goods to the customer’s door. This model is invaluable for UK locals who lack access to luxury flagships: for example, streetwear label Represent offers exclusive collections only in its London flagship and Manchester store, while other limited‑edition bags are released in‑store only across London, Paris and Milan. WeCarryBags’ personal shoppers can source these products and ship them nationwide, enabling customers from Leeds or Coventry to secure a Represent hoodie from Soho or a rare handbag from Paris. The service has become popular for gifting too; clients have used it to send rare pieces to loved ones, with next‑day delivery across the UK.
Beyond the domestic market, personal shopping extends globally. Shoppers in India, the UAE, Africa and South Korea can now purchase items from British boutiques and have them delivered with duties and taxes included. This expansion opens a lucrative export channel for UK retailers while giving international collectors access to exclusive European merchandise.
Technology that supports retailers and shoppers
WeCarryBags is more than a courier. Its proprietary platform integrates a single QR‑code registration system that connects customers, retailers and couriers in real time. The app allows on‑demand tracking, flexible delivery windows and secure payments. The company is now developing AI‑powered personalisation recommending products based on a user’s tastes and location. According to the RTIH AI in Retail Awards brochure, WeCarryBags has “expanded from solving local challenges to operating internationally across the UK, South Korea, India and the UAE” and is building global personal shopping services.
A growing retailer network – and interest from more than 600 stores
While WeCarryBags markets its service to consumers, it is ultimately a retail‑tech platform. The company works directly with boutiques, enabling them to offer hands‑free delivery without investment in extra staff or infrastructure. More than 600 retailers have expressed interest in partnering with WeCarryBags; those who have joined cite benefits such as increased brand visibility and extended customer reach. By listing their stores in the app, shops attract new footfall, encourage shoppers to stay longer, and convert sales that might otherwise be lost to fatigue or geography. The platform promotes brands to a national and international audience and offers on‑demand last‑mile delivery, boosting sales and building loyalty. Store owners have reported seeing not just higher basket sizes but longer dwell times and improved digital presence – effectively feeling that their shops have been “overall boosted”. For a high‑street sector battling e‑commerce dominance, this hybrid model provides a lifeline.
Inclusive beginnings and future ambitions
The idea for WeCarryBags came from personal experience: one of the co‑founders, Hirali, suffered a serious spinal injury and realised how difficult it was to enjoy shopping while carrying bags. Together with her business partner, she developed a solution that champions accessibility and inclusivity. Today, WeCarryBags employs a growing team in Coventry and is recruiting for additional roles as it scales. International delivery to India, the UAE, Africa and South Korea has already attracted investment interest and discussions with M&A advisers. The founders see their company evolving into a global retail giant that combines human concierge services with AI and sustainable logistics.
About WeCarryBags
Founded by Coventry University graduates, WeCarryBags is a UK retail‑tech start‑up specialising in hands‑free shopping, AI‑powered personal shopping and last‑mile logistics. The company operates across UK shopping districts and delivers purchases worldwide, bridging the gap between physical retail and online convenience. For more information or partnership enquiries, visit wecarrybags.co.uk.
