Solving the "Multi-Seller Friction"
Solving the "Multi-Seller Friction"
For an e-commerce platform
For an e-commerce platform
I designed a multi-cart system for an ecommerce app that helps contractors conveniently purchase building materials from their preferred shops.
Product
Product
Mobile App
Mobile App
Timeline
Timeline
Dec 2025 - Feb 2026
Dec 2025 - Feb 2026
Skills
Skills
User Research & Testing
User Research & Testing
User Experience
User Experience
Product Design
Product Design
Solving for multi-cart delivery for contractors
Solving for multi-cart delivery for contractors
Why should buying from three different stores feel like a part-time job?
Feature
Feature
Design the flow to enable customers, especially contractors, to easily find their preferred materials and purchase them from nearby shops.
Design the flow to enable customers, especially contractors, to easily find their preferred materials and purchase them from nearby shops.
Why not Amazon for delivery?
Why not Amazon for delivery?
Why not Amazon for delivery?
InstaSupply uses individual store platforms to put suppliers’ needs first. This setup allows suppliers to manage their own pricing and offer promotions to loyal customers. Research also indicated that contractors prefer buying in bulk from the stores they trust, making this approach a better fit for their buying habits.
InstaSupply uses individual store platforms to put suppliers’ needs first. This setup allows suppliers to manage their own pricing and offer promotions to loyal customers. Research also indicated that contractors prefer buying in bulk from the stores they trust, making this approach a better fit for their buying habits.
Research
Research
We conducted interviews and prototype testing with 70+ contractors and suppliers in Canada, where the app will launch.
We conducted interviews and prototype testing with 70+ contractors and suppliers in Canada, where the app will launch.
A Project requires multiple suppliers
A Project requires multiple suppliers
A Project requires multiple suppliers
Around 85% of contractors purchase from multiple suppliers, as a single job often requires materials from different specialty stores.
Around 85% of contractors purchase from multiple suppliers, as a single job often requires materials from different specialty stores.
Limited Delivery Options
Limited Delivery Options
Limited Delivery Options
Only 25% were ordered online for home delivery. Delivery was either unavailable or unreliable, due to stock issues and handling concerns. As a result, most contractors preferred using their own pickup trucks.
Only 25% were ordered online for home delivery. Delivery was either unavailable or unreliable, due to stock issues and handling concerns. As a result, most contractors preferred using their own pickup trucks.
Unknown Supplier Risk
Unknown Supplier Risk
Unknown Supplier Risk
Over 90% of purchases were made at physical retail locations or directly from suppliers who have long-term work relationships. Online marketplaces like Amazon felt risky for high-value purchases.
Over 90% of purchases were made at physical retail locations or directly from suppliers who have long-term work relationships. Online marketplaces like Amazon felt risky for high-value purchases.
Multi Vendor Ordering
Multi Vendor Ordering
Multi Vendor Ordering
Seamless Delivery
Seamless Delivery
Seamless Delivery
Trusted Seller Network
Trusted Seller Network
Trusted Seller Network
Our Goal
Our Goal
A marketplace that lets contractors purchase from multiple verified suppliers and receive materials quickly at their job site.
A marketplace that lets contractors purchase from multiple verified suppliers and receive materials quickly at their job site.
Explorations
Explorations
#1 Independent Shopping vs Supplier Guided Shopping
#1 Independent Shopping vs Supplier Guided Shopping
#1 Independent Shopping vs Supplier Guided Shopping
What didn't work
What didn't work
Fully open multi-supplier cart increased delivery costs and fragmented ordering
Fully open multi-supplier cart increased delivery costs and fragmented ordering
What finally worked
What finally worked
After first item add, users are guided into that supplier’s catalog to optimize delivery fees, while still allowing multi-supplier checkout if needed.
This encourages buying more from the same store, reducing split orders, delivery time and fees while reinforcing the individual store model.
After first item add, users are guided into that supplier’s catalog to optimize delivery fees, while still allowing multi-supplier checkout if needed.
This encourages buying more from the same store, reducing split orders, delivery time and fees while reinforcing the individual store model.
#2 Multi Cart Checkout handling
#2 Multi Cart Checkout handling
#2 Multi Cart Checkout handling
What didn't work
What didn't work
Accordion carts + checkboxes added friction. Users struggled to focus on one cart or confidently select multiple
Accordion carts + checkboxes added friction. Users struggled to focus on one cart or confidently select multiple
What finally worked
What finally worked
Separate carts with visible subtotals. Users can checkout individually or use a clear “Checkout all” action, no checkboxes needed.
Separate carts with visible subtotals. Users can checkout individually or use a clear “Checkout all” action, no checkboxes needed.
Final Designs
Final Designs
Browse supplies from
multiple stores around you.
Seamless Multi-Supplier Discovery
Seamless Multi-Supplier Discovery
Nearby Shops in Maps
Nearby Shops in Maps
A map view in the navigation bar shows the nearest supplier shops based on the user’s location, helping contractors choose convenient stores.
A map view in the navigation bar shows the nearest supplier shops based on the user’s location, helping contractors choose convenient stores.
Independent Store Checkout
Independent Store Checkout
Each store has its own cart, allowing users to review and checkout per supplier with clear pricing and delivery options.
Each store has its own cart, allowing users to review and checkout per supplier with clear pricing and delivery options.
Checkout everything in one go
Simplifying multi-cart checkout
Multi Cart Handling
Multi Cart Handling
Delete or Save old carts
Delete or Save old carts
On the cart page, users can choose to save items in the cart to be bought later or delete the whole cart at once.
On the cart page, users can choose to save items in the cart to be bought later or delete the whole cart at once.
Checkout one or Checkout all
Checkout one or Checkout all
Users can choose to checkout a single cart or select multiple carts at once, depending on their needs.
Users can choose to checkout a single cart or select multiple carts at once, depending on their needs.
Faster Checkout, Clearer Tracking
Faster Checkout, Clearer Tracking
Simplified Checkout & Order Tracking
Simplified Checkout & Payment
Seperate Payment Breakdown of carts
Seperate Payment Breakdown of carts
Users can complete payment for one or multiple supplier carts in a single transaction.
Users can complete payment for one or multiple supplier carts in a single transaction.
Grouping orders by Tracking ID
Grouping orders by Tracking ID
Orders with the same delivery time are grouped together under a single tracking ID.
Orders with the same delivery time are grouped together under a single tracking ID.
No-stress Returns & Exchanges
Clear Returns and Replacements
Clear Returns and Replacements
Store Specific Return Policies
Store Specific Return Policies
Users can easily view what item is eligible for return or replacement and initiate return requests directly from their order history.
Users can easily view what item is eligible for return or replacement and initiate return requests directly from their order history.
Ticketing System
Ticketing System
If needed, users can raise a complaint with InstaSupply through a built in ticketing system, ensuring issues are tracked and resolved efficiently.
If needed, users can raise a complaint with InstaSupply through a built in ticketing system, ensuring issues are tracked and resolved efficiently.
Project Status - Feb 2026
Project Status - Feb 2026
The design was completed in February 2026 and validated through prototype testing, showing positive contractor satisfaction.
The design was completed in February 2026 and validated through prototype testing, showing positive contractor satisfaction.
See project screenshots
See project screenshots
