honestbee halts delivery and laundry service in Singapore

Honestbee has confirmed that it will be halting food delivery service in Singapore, and is temporarily suspending the laundry service with effect from 20 May 2019. However, honestbee will continue to operate the grocery delivery service, and its physical space – habitat by honestbee.Approximately 400 delivery bees are affected by the decision and many delivery bees are said to be part-timers. “They have played a key role, and have been a critical part of the honestbee family. During this transition, honestbee remains committed to assist all delivery bees. The headcount in Singapore remains unaffected,” the spokesperson from honestbee said.This comes as part of an in-depth strategic review of the business, and a spokesperson from honestbee said the decision was made to optimise the business structure. The spokesperson added that this will help to drive better focus and alignment with honestbee’s current strategic priorities.The newly-appointed executive team is said to be working on future plans to stay relevant and sustainable in today’s rapidly-changing business environment. The spokesperson added that this will help to put honestbee in the “best possible position” to support the business in Singapore and other geographies going forward.Earlier this month after much speculation on its business, honestbee clarified that it will be halting its services in Indonesia and Hong Kong, as well as its food vertical in Thailand as part of an ongoing strategic review of its business. A spokesperson from honestbee also said to Marketing that its services in Japan and the Philippines, along with specific partnerships in other markets will also temporarily be suspended as part of this review.According to honestbee, some roles within the organisation will no longer be available as approximately 10% of its global headcount in the organisation is said to be affected. A day after announcing the global job cuts, co-founder and CEO Joel Sng was also rumoured to exit, to which honestbee swiftly named a successor. Honestbee appointed Brian Koo as CEO and was also a key investor with the company.