If you're reading this, you're either an avid follower of Carryr or potentially crazy - either way, we're excited to have your attention for a couple of minutes.

You may be aware of how quiet we've been over the past few months since we launched our concierge chatbot via Facebook Messenger throughout the summer. Let me tell you why...

Our chatbot was an experiment run over a 12 week period to find logistical and technical problems and to validate a few of our original assumptions. Now you're going to ask what they were. So, here's a few assumptions we had before going into the experiment:

1. We could gather enough order data to better understand which retailers would benefit from a same day delivery service - turns out we were wrong, we'll explain why in the list of problems below
2. We needed to integrate into retailers' inventory and become a delivery option - we were right, and it saved us wasting time building something without knowing if it's needed or not
3. We can deliver products from large retailers and independents on day one - technically we could but it was a nightmare

Here's the part you've been waiting for, the problems:

1. Why couldn't we gather enough order data? It turns out that it's super hard to acquire consumers to a Facebook chatbot (we tried different paid advertising techniques too) and then be able to build up enough trust to get them to pay for the service either on their doorstep or within the chatbot.
2. Availability. This was the worst part! Majority of the requests contained products that weren't in stock in the stores in Cambridge and it took us a while to find out - this was mostly for large retailers. On some accounts we recommended an alternative product from a different store but this took too long to manually search through the retailers products. I hated letting people down.
3. Poor user experience. We designed the chatbot to be able to take order information as quickly as possible. In under a minute an order request can be submitted but, in reality, this was not the case. If a consumer has seen something they like online, they're more likely to buy it from the site that they're on rather than explore other apps to complete the order fulfilment process.

So, what have we learnt and what are we doing now?

We now know that the chances of getting a fulfillable order significantly increases by becoming an option on a retailers' website. Why? Because the customers are already there and they're ready to buy, plus we have access to eligible products i.e. we know the location of their inventory.

We're now working incredibly hard to build eCommerce integrations for the top platforms; Shopify, WooCommerce & Magento. Over the next couple of months we will be partnering with some exciting brands and retailers that operate in Cambridge and we'll be opening up conversations with larger retailers too.

Our first retailer partnership that we're proud to announce is an independent womenswear store called Cuckoo - their clothing is inspired by the bustling streets of London , as well as the tranquility of the countryside. If you're in Cambridge, pop in and say hello to the team. We'll be announcing a go-live date with them very soon! 🥳

Info on integration, details and more partnerships to come soon, keep an eye out!

Oh and if we're lucky enough to have a retailer to read our blog, you can register your interest here - we'd love to have a chat with you 😆

Since our last post we've been hard at work building our first tool that gets us closer to instant and seamless deliveries for online shopping.

Currently we're in the midst of the "hottest ever" heatwave with our optimism and adrenaline running at an all time high with England's world cup performance, we thought it would be a great time to launch.

It's a Facebook Messenger tool that gives you the power to receive clothing, footwear and/or accessories from your favourite fashion retailers in under 60 minutes. WOW!!

Here's how to get started...

1. Tap here to open up messenger and tap "Get Started"
2. When you've got past our greeting message and your ready to start an order be sure to have your shopping list ready. When prompted, send through your first product request (copy and paste the link from the retailers' website)
3. When asked, provide us with some product requirements (size, quantity or colour variation)
4. Add more products in (one after the other, when prompted) - you can send us products from different retailer too!
5. Once you've sent us all of the products you want you'll be asked to share your  number with us incase we lose contact and also to share a delivery location with us.

Easy, right?

Now we do the hard work and check the availability of your selected products (we'll make contact if anything is unavailable).

In 60 minutes we'll arrive at your location to deliver your order and take payment in full for the products (card only). First orders are free, afterwards we only charge £2.99 as a delivery fee - better than next day, right?

Now you want to ask where we've launched, am I right?

We're only operational in Cambridge, UK right now but we'll be launching in your city very soon.

Over the past few years we've all been in awe of the transformation of retailers and what the future could look like for both on-line and off-line purchases.

We've seen our most beloved consumer marketplaces achieving global domination and even traditional brick-and-mortar retailers either being completely transformed or looking like the final scene of the Avenger's Infinity War - disappearing from existence [SPOILER ALERT].

One thing we've been gagging to talk about is a very ugly and unsexy part of retail and not many have cared to evolve it, until now. In case you haven't guessed the bias, it's logistics - yes I hate how that word sounds too (sounds very jargon-esque)! Logistics takes many different shapes and forms, however, we're more interested in taking on the direct consumer contact points; deliveries and returns.

More specifically, giving consumers the ability to order from their favourite brands and retailers and receive their order within an hour at any given time, at any location and any unwanted items can be collected by the touch of a button. This gives consumers their time back to indulge in the true experience and convenience that retailers are trying to offer. We've seen the speed of food and grocery deliveries increase (it should do, it's food after all!) but why not now for everything else?

Get in touch and send me a horror story you've had with online deliveries or returns, I'd love to hear about them!

Until next time... (I'll flesh out details in posts to come)