Coventry grads bridge the gap between in-store and online shopping
Two Coventry University graduates have created an app to combine in-store shopping with the convenience of home delivery.
CarryBags Ltd gives shoppers the chance to have their in-store purchases delivered to a convenient location of their choice to remove the burden of carrying bags whilst out shopping.
Hirali Soni and Yash Vegad both came to the UK from India to study at Coventry University before co-founding CarryBags upon completing their degree studies in Interior Design and Construction Project and Cost Management respectively. They have been supported by Coventry University Enterprise Hub to get their business off the ground.
The aim is to create an easier experience for those with injuries or disabilities, those with childcare responsibilities while shopping and those who don’t have access to public or private transport.
Their business idea was sparked when Soni developed a back problem at the age of 23, hindering her ability to lift heavy objects and limiting her mobility, which made everyday necessities like shopping a challenge.
Soni said: “This concept is about bridging the gap between the in-store and online shopping experiences, offering fast, simple and convenient home delivery to those who prefer to shop in-store and bringing together the best of both worlds.
“We truly believe that in a country like the UK there should always be a solution, so we were determined and assured that there must be a better way to shop, which kickstarted this business idea.”
They also hope their platform can help to support high-street retailers who are facing increasing challenges from online competitors. The CarryBags app is being tested currently at Coventry’s Fargo Village.
The Enterprise Hub provides students and graduates from both the UK and overseas with pivotal support for Visa applications in order to start UK-based businesses, as well as office space, business mentoring and much more.
Yash said: “Without Coventry University and the Enterprise Hub we simply would not be where we are today. The support they’ve given us has been amazing and it has pushed the boundaries of our business potential. We’ve been delighted to be able to offer students the chance to collaborate with us and gain vital experience, and we’re very proud to say they have helped us to get to where we are today. It feels really good to be able to give back to the university and its students.”
