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'''honestbee''' is an online concierge and delivery service offering next-hour grocery and food delivery services as its core business as well as parcel delivery services for its B2B clients. In Singapore, honestbee also offers laundry collection and delivery services. The company was launched in Singapore on 23 July 2015 <ref>{{cite news|title=Food fight: New challengers spice up Singapore’s online grocery war|url=https://www.techinasia.com/redmart-honestbee-purelyfresh-gofresh-groceries|accessdate=14 June 2016|publisher=Tech In Asia}}</ref> and over the course of about two years, has also launched in Hong Kong,<ref>{{cite news|title=honestbee delivers groceries in an hour|url=https://www.afoodieworld.com/keshia/5268-honestbee-delivers-groceries-in-half-an-hour}}</ref> Taipei,<ref name=forbes>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesasia/2016/02/24/honestbees-joel-sng-sets-big-regional-goals-for-grocery-delivery-startup/#3ea660bd173a|title=Honestbee's Joel Sng Sets Big Regional Goals for Grocery Delivery Startup|last=Asia|first=Forbes|website=Forbes|access-date=2016-06-14}}</ref> Jakarta,<ref>{{cite news |title= Honestbee officially launches in Indonesia |url= https://www.eightyquartier.com/honestbee-officially-launches-in-indonesia/}}</ref> Kuala Lumpur,<ref>{{cite news |title= Honestbee launches in Malaysia |url= https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/startups/honestbee-launches-malaysia}}</ref> Bangkok,<ref>{{cite news |title= Honestbee launches its grocery delivery service in Thailand |url= https://www.techinasia.com/honestbee-thailand-launch}}</ref> Manila<ref>{{cite news |title= SG-based mobile app grocery delivery service expands to PH |url= http://newsbytes.ph/2017/06/24/sg-based-mobile-app-grocery-delivery-service-expands-to-ph/}}</ref> and Tokyo.<ref>{{cite news |title= Singapore grocery concierge service Honestbee buzzes towards 'global store' concept |work= Straitstimes.com |url= http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/singapore-grocery-concierge-service-honestbee-buzzes-towards-global-store-concept}}</ref> It was founded by Joel Sng, Isaac Tay, and Jonathan Low and has backing from venture capital companies in Asia and the United States.<ref>{{cite news |title=Online grocery startup Honestbee raises $15M from Silicon Valley to deliver the goods |url= https://www.techinasia.com/honestbee-series-a-funding |work= TechInAsia.com }}</ref>
'''[https://www.honestbee.sg/ honestbee]''' is an online concierge and delivery service offering next-hour grocery and food delivery services as well as parcel delivery services for its B2B clients via its [https://www.honestbee.sg/en/goodship/track-order Goodship] channel. In Singapore, honestbee also offers laundry collection and delivery services<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.asiaone.com/singapore/honestbee-launches-laundry-service|title=Honestbee launches laundry service|work=AsiaOne|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref>. The company was launched in Singapore on 23 July 2015 <ref>{{cite news|title=Food fight: New challengers spice up Singapore’s online grocery war|url=https://www.techinasia.com/redmart-honestbee-purelyfresh-gofresh-groceries|accessdate=14 June 2016|publisher=Tech In Asia}}</ref> and over the course of the next two years, has also launched in Hong Kong,<ref>{{cite news|title=honestbee delivers groceries in an hour|url=https://www.afoodieworld.com/keshia/5268-honestbee-delivers-groceries-in-half-an-hour}}</ref> Taipei,<ref name=forbes>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesasia/2016/02/24/honestbees-joel-sng-sets-big-regional-goals-for-grocery-delivery-startup/#3ea660bd173a|title=Honestbee's Joel Sng Sets Big Regional Goals for Grocery Delivery Startup|last=Asia|first=Forbes|website=Forbes|access-date=2016-06-14}}</ref> Jakarta,<ref>{{cite news |title= Honestbee officially launches in Indonesia |url= https://www.eightyquartier.com/honestbee-officially-launches-in-indonesia/}}</ref> Kuala Lumpur,<ref>{{cite news |title= Honestbee launches in Malaysia |url= https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/startups/honestbee-launches-malaysia}}</ref> Bangkok,<ref>{{cite news |title= Honestbee launches its grocery delivery service in Thailand |url= https://www.techinasia.com/honestbee-thailand-launch}}</ref> Manila<ref>{{cite news |title= SG-based mobile app grocery delivery service expands to PH |url= http://newsbytes.ph/2017/06/24/sg-based-mobile-app-grocery-delivery-service-expands-to-ph/}}</ref> and Tokyo.<ref>{{cite news |title= Singapore grocery concierge service Honestbee buzzes towards 'global store' concept |work= Straitstimes.com |url= http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/singapore-grocery-concierge-service-honestbee-buzzes-towards-global-store-concept}}</ref> It was founded by Joel Sng, Isaac Tay, and Jonathan Low and has backing from venture capital companies in Asia and the United States.<ref>{{cite news |title=Online grocery startup Honestbee raises $15M from Silicon Valley to deliver the goods |url= https://www.techinasia.com/honestbee-series-a-funding |work= TechInAsia.com }}</ref> In October 2015, honestbee raised $15 million for its on-demand grocery delivery service. Led by [[Formation 8]], participants included Pejman Mar Ventures, Gideon Yu, Owen T. Van Natta, and Steve Chen.<ref name=":0" />


==Overview==
== Overview ==
honestbee's vision is to become the world's most convenient services marketplace and its mission is to provide positive social and financial impact on the lives and businesses it touches<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.honestbee.sg/en/about-us|title=honestbee|website=honestbee {{!}} Concierge and Delivery Service|language=en|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref>. As a "social impact" business, honestbee gives employment to people who can’t hold regular jobs, such as stay-at-home parents, caregivers, and students,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/10/20/honestbee/|title=Singaporean On-Demand Grocery Startup Honestbee Gets $15M To Expand To Six New Asian Countries|last=Shu|first=Catherine|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2017-10-16|language=en}}</ref> thus providing financial opportunities to people from all walks of life. The company works on a partnership model where it works with merchant partners to offer last mile delivery service logistics by fulfilling orders that come in through the honestbee website or app. This partnership allows for merchant partners to establish an online presence without having to invest in infrastructure building. Additionally, honestbee adds the touch of a personal concierge for the customers, thus helping these brands to differentiate themselves.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://vulcanpost.com/539611/honestbee-and-its-grand-plan/|title=The Story Of honestbee - Growing From One To Four Cities In Just 6 Months|last=Yap|first=Jacky|date=2016-03-07|work=Vulcan Post|access-date=2017-10-16|language=en-US}}</ref>
The company is not the only grocery delivery service in the area.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.techinasia.com/redmart-honestbee-purelyfresh-gofresh-groceries |title= Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem |website= Techinasia.com |language=en-US |access-date=2016-06-14}}</ref> [[Redmart]] began four years before Honestbee and has significant backers from the technology area, like Facebook cofounder Eduardo Saverin, Skype cofounder Toivo Annus and a local gaming company, Garena. There is also [[HappyFresh]], an Indonesian startup that launched four months ahead of Honestbee.<ref name=forbes />


Honestbee employs part-time shoppers who collect groceries from local stores for each customer’s shopping list and then hand the package to its logistics partners, who usually deliver orders about an hour after they are placed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/10/20/honestbee/|title=Singaporean On-Demand Grocery Startup Honestbee Gets $15M To Expand To Six New Asian Countries|last=Shu|first=Catherine|website=TechCrunch|access-date=2016-06-14}}</ref>
The freelancers employed as part-time shoppers or delivery drivers are referred to as "bees". The shopper bees act as personal concierges for the customers and are in charge of purchasing groceries from local partnering stores fulfilling each customer’s shopping list. The shopper bees then hand the package to the delivery bees, who usually deliver orders typically within the hour after the orders are placed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/10/20/honestbee/|title=Singaporean On-Demand Grocery Startup Honestbee Gets $15M To Expand To Six New Asian Countries|last=Shu|first=Catherine|website=TechCrunch|access-date=2016-06-14}}</ref>


honestbee’s predecessor is LifeOpp, a social impact company with the aim of creating jobs for people who can’t work fixed hours. The small ten person strong team was working out of a shophouse in Niven Road. Within a few months of launching honestbee, the team had swelled to more than a hundred and the team relocated to their new premises at Delta House, Singapore.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://vulcanpost.com/539611/honestbee-and-its-grand-plan/|title=The Story Of honestbee - Growing From One To Four Cities In Just 6 Months|last=Yap|first=Jacky|date=2016-03-07|work=Vulcan Post|access-date=2017-10-16|language=en-US}}</ref>
In October 2015, Honestbee announced that it raised $15 million for its on-demand grocery delivery service. Led by [[Formation 8]], participants included Pejman Mar Ventures, Gideon Yu, Owen T. Van Natta, and Steve Chen.<ref name=":0" />

Since its inception in Singapore, honestbee has expanded its service across the region:
* Launched in Hong Kong on 16 October 2015<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.scmp.com/tech/start-ups/article/1871380/concierge-grocery-delivery-service-honestbee-lands-us15-million|title=Concierge grocery delivery service honestbee lands US$15 million of funding in wake of Hong Kong launch|work=South China Morning Post|access-date=2017-10-16|language=en}}</ref>
* Launched pop-up version in Niseko on 1 November 2015<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151215005617/en/Honestbee-Brings-On-Demand-Grocery-Delivery-Service-Japan|title=Honestbee Brings On-Demand Grocery and Delivery Service to Japan|website=www.businesswire.com|language=en|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref>
* Launched in Taiwan on 5 January 2016<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/07/grocery-delivery-startup-honestbee-launches-in-taiwan/|title=Grocery Delivery Startup Honestbee Launches In Taiwan|last=Shu|first=Catherine|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2017-10-16|language=en}}</ref>
* Launched in Indonesia on 25 January 2017 <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eightyquartier.com/honestbee-officially-launches-in-indonesia/|title=Honestbee officially launches in Indonesia|website=www.eightyquartier.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref>
* Launched in Malaysia on 28 February 2017 <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lowyat.net/2017/126372/honestbee-malaysia-launch/|title=Honestbee, Online Grocery Shopping Service, Has Finally Made Its Way To Malaysia - Lowyat.NET|website=www.lowyat.net|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref>
* Launched in Thailand on 16 March 2017<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://insideretail.asia/2017/03/17/honestbee-thailand-launches-in-bangkok/|title=Honestbee Thailand launches in Bangkok - Inside Retail Asia|date=2017-03-17|work=Inside Retail Asia|access-date=2017-10-16|language=en-US}}</ref>
* Launched in Philippines on 16 June 2017<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.philstar.com/food-and-leisure/2017/09/24/1742206/grocery-shopping-made-hassle-free-honestbee|title=Grocery shopping made hassle-free with ‘honestbee’|work=philstar.com|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref>
* Launched in Tokyo on 20 July 2017<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/singapore-grocery-concierge-service-honestbee-buzzes-towards-global-store-concept|title=Singapore grocery concierge service Honestbee buzzes towards 'global store' concept|last=hermesauto|date=2017-07-20|work=The Straits Times|access-date=2017-10-16|language=en}}</ref>

== Competitors ==
Online grocery delivery service:
* [[Redmart]] (Singapore): launched in 2011 and has backers such as Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, Skype cofounder Toivo Annus and local gaming company, Garena.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techinasia.com/redmart-honestbee-purelyfresh-gofresh-groceries|title=Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem|website=Techinasia.com|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-14}}</ref>
* [[HappyFresh]] (Indonesia): founded in October 2014.<ref name="forbes" />
* [https://www.amazon.com.sg/primenow Amazon Prime Now] (Singapore): Launched in 2017<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/amazon-prime-now-delivery-unavailable-for-second-day-after-9072196|title=Amazon Prime Now delivery unavailable for second day after launch|work=Channel NewsAsia|access-date=2017-10-16|language=en-US}}</ref>


== Criticism ==
== Criticism ==


=== April fool's prank ===
=== April fool's prank ===
In late March of 2016, Honestbee announced a partnership with "Explorer Joe Exotic Meats" (later revealed to be fictitious), which would allow customers to purchase meat from endangered animals including pandas and whales. While the company eventually claimed its intention all along had been to "bring awareness" and stimulate conversation about the plight of endangered species, Honestbee faced backlash from the public both before and after the revelation that the campaign was a hoax, with a number of customers saying they would boycott the service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/sale-exotic-meats-part-campaign-raise-awareness-endangered-animals-honestbee?singlepage=true|title=‘Sale’ of panda meat, koala sausages part of endangered animals awareness campaign: honestbee|last=Ravikrishnan|first=Ashutosh|date=2016-03-30|work=Today|access-date=2017-08-19|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref>
As part of an April Fools' Day prank, honestbee announced a partnership with the fictitious "Explorer Joe Exotic Meats", which would allow customers to purchase meat from endangered animals including pandas and whales. The company stated its intention had been to "bring awareness" and stimulate conversation about the plight of endangered species. The company faced backlash from the public both before and after the revelation that the campaign was a hoax, with a number of customers saying they would boycott the service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/sale-exotic-meats-part-campaign-raise-awareness-endangered-animals-honestbee?singlepage=true|title=‘Sale’ of panda meat, koala sausages part of endangered animals awareness campaign: honestbee|last=Ravikrishnan|first=Ashutosh|date=2016-03-30|work=Today|access-date=2017-08-19|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref>


=== Worker pay ===
=== Worker pay ===
In 2015, Honestbee claimed it was paying Singapore workers "up to SGD $14 (about $10) an hour;"<ref name=":0" /> by May of 2016, however, workers countered that the company had lowered the "basic rate" twice, from $7.50 to $6 and then $5, and that there were also issues with payroll being late or miscalculated.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/freelancers-for-honestbee-feeling-the-sting|title=Freelancers for honestbee feeling the sting|last=Ho|first=Olivia|date=2016-05-10|work=The Straits Times|access-date=2017-08-19|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|language=en}}</ref>
In 2015, honestbee stated it was paying Singapore workers "up to SGD $14 (about $10) an hour;"<ref name=":0" /> by May of 2016, however, workers countered that the company had lowered the "basic rate" twice, from $7.50 to $6 and then $5, and that there were also issues with payroll being late or miscalculated.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/freelancers-for-honestbee-feeling-the-sting|title=Freelancers for honestbee feeling the sting|last=Ho|first=Olivia|date=2016-05-10|work=The Straits Times|access-date=2017-08-19|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|language=en}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==

Revision as of 04:31, 16 October 2017

honestbee
Screenshot
Type of site
Privately held company
Founded23 July 2015; 9 years ago (23 July 2015)
Headquarters
Singapore
Area servedSingapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Japan
IndustryRetail
ServicesGrocery delivery, food delivery, laundry delivery, parcel delivery
URLhonestbee.sg

honestbee is an online concierge and delivery service offering next-hour grocery and food delivery services as well as parcel delivery services for its B2B clients via its Goodship channel. In Singapore, honestbee also offers laundry collection and delivery services[1]. The company was launched in Singapore on 23 July 2015 [2] and over the course of the next two years, has also launched in Hong Kong,[3] Taipei,[4] Jakarta,[5] Kuala Lumpur,[6] Bangkok,[7] Manila[8] and Tokyo.[9] It was founded by Joel Sng, Isaac Tay, and Jonathan Low and has backing from venture capital companies in Asia and the United States.[10] In October 2015, honestbee raised $15 million for its on-demand grocery delivery service. Led by Formation 8, participants included Pejman Mar Ventures, Gideon Yu, Owen T. Van Natta, and Steve Chen.[11]

Overview

honestbee's vision is to become the world's most convenient services marketplace and its mission is to provide positive social and financial impact on the lives and businesses it touches[12]. As a "social impact" business, honestbee gives employment to people who can’t hold regular jobs, such as stay-at-home parents, caregivers, and students,[13] thus providing financial opportunities to people from all walks of life. The company works on a partnership model where it works with merchant partners to offer last mile delivery service logistics by fulfilling orders that come in through the honestbee website or app. This partnership allows for merchant partners to establish an online presence without having to invest in infrastructure building. Additionally, honestbee adds the touch of a personal concierge for the customers, thus helping these brands to differentiate themselves.[14]

The freelancers employed as part-time shoppers or delivery drivers are referred to as "bees". The shopper bees act as personal concierges for the customers and are in charge of purchasing groceries from local partnering stores fulfilling each customer’s shopping list. The shopper bees then hand the package to the delivery bees, who usually deliver orders typically within the hour after the orders are placed.[11]

honestbee’s predecessor is LifeOpp, a social impact company with the aim of creating jobs for people who can’t work fixed hours. The small ten person strong team was working out of a shophouse in Niven Road. Within a few months of launching honestbee, the team had swelled to more than a hundred and the team relocated to their new premises at Delta House, Singapore.[15]

Since its inception in Singapore, honestbee has expanded its service across the region:

  • Launched in Hong Kong on 16 October 2015[16]
  • Launched pop-up version in Niseko on 1 November 2015[17]
  • Launched in Taiwan on 5 January 2016[18]
  • Launched in Indonesia on 25 January 2017 [19]
  • Launched in Malaysia on 28 February 2017 [20]
  • Launched in Thailand on 16 March 2017[21]
  • Launched in Philippines on 16 June 2017[22]
  • Launched in Tokyo on 20 July 2017[23]

Competitors

Online grocery delivery service:

  • Redmart (Singapore): launched in 2011 and has backers such as Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, Skype cofounder Toivo Annus and local gaming company, Garena.[24]
  • HappyFresh (Indonesia): founded in October 2014.[4]
  • Amazon Prime Now (Singapore): Launched in 2017[25]

Criticism

April fool's prank

As part of an April Fools' Day prank, honestbee announced a partnership with the fictitious "Explorer Joe Exotic Meats", which would allow customers to purchase meat from endangered animals including pandas and whales. The company stated its intention had been to "bring awareness" and stimulate conversation about the plight of endangered species. The company faced backlash from the public both before and after the revelation that the campaign was a hoax, with a number of customers saying they would boycott the service.[26]

Worker pay

In 2015, honestbee stated it was paying Singapore workers "up to SGD $14 (about $10) an hour;"[11] by May of 2016, however, workers countered that the company had lowered the "basic rate" twice, from $7.50 to $6 and then $5, and that there were also issues with payroll being late or miscalculated.[27]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Honestbee launches laundry service". AsiaOne. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  2. ^ "Food fight: New challengers spice up Singapore's online grocery war". Tech In Asia. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  3. ^ "honestbee delivers groceries in an hour".
  4. ^ a b Asia, Forbes. "Honestbee's Joel Sng Sets Big Regional Goals for Grocery Delivery Startup". Forbes. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  5. ^ "Honestbee officially launches in Indonesia".
  6. ^ "Honestbee launches in Malaysia".
  7. ^ "Honestbee launches its grocery delivery service in Thailand".
  8. ^ "SG-based mobile app grocery delivery service expands to PH".
  9. ^ "Singapore grocery concierge service Honestbee buzzes towards 'global store' concept". Straitstimes.com.
  10. ^ "Online grocery startup Honestbee raises $15M from Silicon Valley to deliver the goods". TechInAsia.com.
  11. ^ a b c Shu, Catherine. "Singaporean On-Demand Grocery Startup Honestbee Gets $15M To Expand To Six New Asian Countries". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  12. ^ "honestbee". honestbee | Concierge and Delivery Service. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  13. ^ Shu, Catherine. "Singaporean On-Demand Grocery Startup Honestbee Gets $15M To Expand To Six New Asian Countries". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2017-10-16. {{cite news}}: no-break space character in |title= at position 85 (help)
  14. ^ Yap, Jacky (2016-03-07). "The Story Of honestbee - Growing From One To Four Cities In Just 6 Months". Vulcan Post. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  15. ^ Yap, Jacky (2016-03-07). "The Story Of honestbee - Growing From One To Four Cities In Just 6 Months". Vulcan Post. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  16. ^ "Concierge grocery delivery service honestbee lands US$15 million of funding in wake of Hong Kong launch". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  17. ^ "Honestbee Brings On-Demand Grocery and Delivery Service to Japan". www.businesswire.com. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  18. ^ Shu, Catherine. "Grocery Delivery Startup Honestbee Launches In Taiwan". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2017-10-16. {{cite news}}: no-break space character in |title= at position 47 (help)
  19. ^ "Honestbee officially launches in Indonesia". www.eightyquartier.com. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  20. ^ "Honestbee, Online Grocery Shopping Service, Has Finally Made Its Way To Malaysia - Lowyat.NET". www.lowyat.net. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  21. ^ "Honestbee Thailand launches in Bangkok - Inside Retail Asia". Inside Retail Asia. 2017-03-17. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  22. ^ "Grocery shopping made hassle-free with 'honestbee'". philstar.com. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  23. ^ hermesauto (2017-07-20). "Singapore grocery concierge service Honestbee buzzes towards 'global store' concept". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  24. ^ "Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem". Techinasia.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  25. ^ "Amazon Prime Now delivery unavailable for second day after launch". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  26. ^ Ravikrishnan, Ashutosh (2016-03-30). "'Sale' of panda meat, koala sausages part of endangered animals awareness campaign: honestbee". Today. Retrieved 2017-08-19. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  27. ^ Ho, Olivia (2016-05-10). "Freelancers for honestbee feeling the sting". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2017-08-19. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)

Further reading

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