Webvan: Online Grocery Delivery Has Always Been Difficult

Everything old is new again. Many business models from the first dot-com bubble are getting a second chance right now. Below, a look at Webvan, a pioneer in online grocery delivery with a rapid ascent and an equally spectacular bust.

Cash and Burn

Grocery is a tough business. So is delivery. E-commerce too. As Webvan discovered, combining the three doesn’t make anything easier.

During the first dot-com bubble, Webvan was a high-flying grocery delivery startup. It raised…