NEW DELHI: In the bustling lanes of Delhi’s iconic markets, where vibrant stalls overflow with clothes, accessories, and household treasures, the joy of shopping has long been tempered by a familiar ordeal: juggling heavy bags, navigating dense crowds, and battling fatigue.
A new Delhi-based startup is stepping in to change that equation, turning a common pain point into a convenient service that lets shoppers focus on the fun rather than the burden
From Personal Frustration to Practical Solution
A new service has appeared in Lajpat Nagar market. It’s called CarryMen, and it offers something quite specific: for Rs 149 per hour, someone will walk through the market with you, carry your bags, stand in food queues, and follow you around until you’re done shopping.
The concept behind CarryMen emerged directly from the lived realities of its founders, who, like countless Delhiites, grew up navigating the city’s energetic yet exhausting shopping hubs such as Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, and Chandni Chowk.
Long walks between shops, accumulating bags that grow heavier by the hour, and the challenge of managing everything from street food stops to finding a moment of rest inspired a simple yet innovative idea: “You shop. We carry.”
One assistant can carry up to 12 kilograms of shopping. Beyond that, customers can hire a second assistant. The packages are available in 2, 3, or 4-hour slots, allowing shoppers to control both the service and their budget.
What the Service Actually Offers
Assistants do far more than just tote bags. They navigate crowded pathways, wait in queues for food or popular items, guide shoppers to specific stores, and escort them back to parking areas or metro stations at the end of the trip. Additional comforts include locating seating spots, setting up portable camping chairs, providing umbrellas for sun or rain protection, offering mobile charging via power banks, and even hydration support.
There’s a practical weight limit of up to 12 kg per assistant, with options to book extra help for heavier hauls. Families can also opt for stroller rentals as an add-on, addressing the unique challenges faced by parents managing young children alongside purchases.
Who is Using It And Why It Resonates
According to the startup, the demographic that initially drove CarryMen’s bookings wasn’t young professionals or wealthy shoppers looking for luxury assistance. It was elderly women, particularly those shopping for clothes, curtains, and household items, the people for whom shopping at markets like Lajpat Nagar had become increasingly difficult but still remained emotionally important.
Beyond elderly shoppers, the startup’s founders mention that pregnant women have used the service. They found relief in moving more comfortably through packed markets, while families with toddlers benefit from the extra pair of hands that frees parents to shop without constant juggling.
As a company spokesperson noted in reports, the goal extends beyond physical carrying: “The service is focused on reducing stress and improving comfort, particularly for families, elderly shoppers and women.”
In its first month, CarryMen reportedly handled over 50 bookings, growing primarily through word-of-mouth and organic social media sharing rather than heavy marketing pushes.
While air-conditioned malls offer ease, many Delhi shoppers still cherish the vibrant, bargain-filled experience of street markets. However, rising temperatures, dense footfall, and changing demographics, more working professionals, nuclear families, and senior citizens shopping independently have amplified the physical toll.
CarryMen taps into a growing gig economy that creates flexible opportunities for local workers while addressing these gaps.
Safety and Trust Measures:
To build customer confidence in a service involving close personal assistance in crowded public spaces, CarryMen has implemented several structured safety and accountability protocols. All assistants operate as uniformed staff, typically in identifiable orange shirts that enhance visibility and professionalism while distinguishing them clearly from other market workers.
Every CarryMan undergoes police verification as part of the onboarding process. They carry visible ID cards at all times during duty, allowing shoppers to easily identify and verify authorized personnel. The company also provides a dedicated helpline for immediate support.
Operationally, the assistants work under direct supervision of a Booth Captain (on-ground supervisor). This includes daily briefings, continuous oversight in the market, and clear lines of accountability. The model emphasizes trained, supervised staff rather than ad-hoc gig workers, aiming to create structured and respectful employment opportunities while prioritizing shopper safety and trust.
These measures address common concerns in India’s informal service sector, particularly around reliability and security in high-footfall markets and form a key part of CarryMen’s pitch for building long-term credibility as it looks toward expansion.
The Viral Moment and What Came After
When CarryMen went viral on social media, the reactions were mixed. Some people found the concept genuinely useful. Others made jokes. The joke that gained traction: “That’s called a husband,” referring to the traditional expectation that husbands help carry shopping bags.
There were also more critical takes. Some users questioned whether this was the kind of service that reveals something troubling about modern urban life, the idea that even basic assistance during a shopping trip has to be commodified and paid for. Others pointed out the obvious: this is a service primarily accessible to people with disposable income to spare.
Concerns included potential trust issues in crowded markets, with one user noting, “This business won’t work in India due to Chindichor people.”
The viral attention did one thing clearly: it made CarryMen impossible to ignore. What was a quietly growing service in one market suddenly became a topic of national discussion. Whether that’s good or bad for the startup depends on whether the attention translates to sustained bookings beyond the initial curiosity.
Looking Beyond Lajpat Nagar
Right now, CarryMen operates only in Lajpat Nagar. The founders have announced plans to expand to Chandni Chowk, Delhi’s older and significantly more crowded market.
The model’s success could inspire similar services in other high-footfall Indian cities facing comparable shopping challenges.
Services like this reflect evolving priorities in busy cities: comfort and convenience are becoming as valued as the thrill of the hunt for deals.
For now, CarryMen remains an experiment. It has attention, some bookings, and growth through word-of-mouth. Whether it becomes a permanent feature of Delhi’s shopping landscape or fades once the viral moment passes is something only time will tell.
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