Singapore startup Honestbee helps offline stores face e-commerce onslaught

"SINGAPORE -- Honestbee, operator of an online grocery delivery app in eight Asian countries and regions, plans to open cashless offline stores in three overseas markets next year, according to CEO Joel Sng.

The move offline is aimed at helping traditional retailers counter the growing threat from big e-commerce companies in the region, led by Amazon.com and Alibaba Group Holding. Honestbee opened its first bricks-and-mortar supermarket in Singapore in October."

We are going to start the projects sometime next year. It will take about six to nine months," Sng said in a recent interview, adding that the company aims to open shops in markets where it already operates delivery services. Initially, Honestbee is looking at three sites in three markets outside Singapore, including Japan, Sng said."

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