WEBVAN GROUP INC
S-1/A, 1999-10-12
BUSINESS SERVICES, NEC
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<PAGE>   1


    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 12, 1999


                                                      Registration No. 333-84703
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------


                                AMENDMENT NO. 4

                                       TO

                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                               WEBVAN GROUP, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
                            ------------------------


<TABLE>
<S>                                  <C>                                  <C>
              DELAWARE                               7389                              77-0446411
  (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF        (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL               (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
   INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)        CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)             IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>


                    1241 EAST HILLSDALE BOULEVARD, SUITE 210
                         FOSTER CITY, CALIFORNIA 94404
                                 (650) 524-2200
    (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                  OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                               GEORGE T. SHAHEEN
                     PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                               WEBVAN GROUP, INC.
                    1241 EAST HILLSDALE BOULEVARD, SUITE 210
                         FOSTER CITY, CALIFORNIA 94404
                                 (650) 524-2200
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                                   COPIES TO:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                    <C>
                JEFFREY D. SAPER, ESQ.                                WILLIAM H. HINMAN, ESQ.
              J. ROBERT SUFFOLETTA, ESQ.                               DANIELLE CARBONE, ESQ.
                 ROBERT G. DAY, ESQ.                                    SHEARMAN & STERLING
                 ANIL P. PATEL, ESQ.                               1550 EL CAMINO REAL, SUITE 100
           WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI                         MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA 94025
               PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION                                    (650) 330-2200
                  650 PAGE MILL ROAD
           PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304-1050
                    (650) 493-9300
</TABLE>

                            ------------------------

        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement is declared effective.

    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box.  [ ]

    If this Form is to register additional securities for an offering pursuant
to rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]

    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]

    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering.  [ ]

    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
                            ------------------------

    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a), MAY
DETERMINE.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



<PAGE>   2

THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE
CHANGED. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED
WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PRELIMINARY
PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL NOR DOES IT SEEK AN OFFER TO BUY THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.


                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. DATED OCTOBER   , 1999.


                               25,000,000 SHARES

                               WEBVAN GROUP, INC.

                                 Common Stock
LOGO
                           -------------------------

     This is an initial public offering of shares of common stock of Webvan
Group, Inc. All of the 25,000,000 shares of common stock are being sold by
Webvan.

     Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the common
stock. It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price per
share will be between $11.00 and $13.00. Application has been made for quotation
of the common stock on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "WBVN".

     See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 4 to read about factors you should
consider before buying shares of the common stock.

                           -------------------------

     NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY OTHER REGULATORY
BODY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY
OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.

                           -------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Per Share    Total
                                                              ---------    -----
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Initial public offering price...............................    $          $
Underwriting discount.......................................    $          $
Proceeds, before expenses, to Webvan........................    $          $
</TABLE>

     To the extent that the underwriters sell more than 25,000,000 shares of
common stock, the underwriters have the option to purchase up to an additional
3,750,000 shares from Webvan at the initial public offering price, less the
underwriting discount.


     The underwriters expect to deliver the shares on                , 1999.


                           -------------------------

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
        DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                        BANCBOSTON ROBERTSON STEPHENS
                                 BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
                                        DEUTSCHE BANC ALEX. BROWN
                                              THOMAS WEISEL PARTNERS LLC

                           -------------------------


                    Prospectus dated                , 1999.

<PAGE>   3

                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     This summary does not contain all of the information that you should
consider before investing in our common stock. You should read the entire
prospectus carefully, especially "Risk Factors" beginning on page 4.

                               WEBVAN GROUP, INC.

     Webvan is an Internet retailer offering same-day delivery of consumer
products through an innovative proprietary business design that integrates our
Webstore, distribution center and delivery system. Our current product offerings
are principally focused on food, non-prescription drug products and general
merchandise.

     Webvan offers a personalized shopping experience that provides customers
with:

     - the convenience of same-day direct home delivery within a
       customer-selected 30-minute window;

     - a broad selection of high quality fresh foods including produce, hand-cut
       meats, fresh fish and live lobsters, as well as non-perishable grocery
       items, chef-prepared meals, fine wines, premium quality cigars and
       non-prescription drug products;

     - prices that are generally at or below everyday supermarket prices;

     - reliable and friendly delivery service by Webvan employees, free of
       charge for orders over $50; and

     - an easy-to-navigate Webstore offering user-friendly features including
       the ability to create personalized shopping lists.

     Consumers are increasingly seeking a grocery shopping solution which will
allow them to save time and effort without sacrificing the wide selection, high
quality and low cost they have come to expect from supermarkets. While a number
of retailers have attempted to address this opportunity by offering grocery
items online, we believe that their lack of a highly automated distribution
system and inability to realize cost efficiencies has made it difficult for
these online grocers to deliver a high quality, low cost shopping solution in an
efficient manner.


     Our interactive Webstore and highly automated distribution center were
designed to operate efficiently at high volumes, enabling us to operate with
much lower overhead and reduced headcount compared to traditional supermarkets.
Our initial distribution center, which serves the San Francisco Bay Area, was
designed to process product volumes equivalent to approximately 18 supermarkets
with substantially lower labor and real estate costs than these stores would
typically require. Since the commercial launch of our Webstore on June 2, 1999,
we have delivered orders to over 21,000 separate customers which generated
approximately $4.3 million in net sales through September 30, 1999. During that
period, over 62% of our orders were from customers who had previously used our
service. During the month of September 1999, approximately 70% of our orders
were from repeat customers. The daily volume of orders that we have had to
fulfill to date has been significantly below our designed capacity and the
levels that are necessary for us to achieve profitability. It is not practicable
to test our system at high volumes except by processing commercial orders. As a
result, the success of our system in a high order volume environment has yet to
be proven.


     Our proprietary distribution system and enabling software were designed to
optimize our inbound and outbound delivery operations and were created to be
readily replicated to facilitate our expansion into multiple geographic markets.
We commenced the commercial launch of our operations in the San Francisco Bay
Area in June 1999 and plan to open a second distribution center in Atlanta,
Georgia in the second quarter of 2000 and to further expand with distribution
centers in other key geographic markets. In July 1999, we entered into an
agreement with Bechtel Corporation for the construction of up to 26 additional
distribution centers over the next three years.

     We believe that our business design provides an innovative solution to the
challenge of e-commerce fulfillment by integrating a retail web site with a
highly automated distribution center and advanced delivery system which provide
a highly efficient means of delivering goods directly and rapidly to consumers.
                                        1
<PAGE>   4

                           WEBVAN'S OPERATING HISTORY

     Webvan was incorporated in December 1996. From 1997 through May 1999, we
were focused on developing our Webstore and constructing and equipping our first
distribution center serving the San Francisco Bay Area. We did not begin
commercial operations until June 1999. Our operating history and revenues
derived from operations are therefore limited, and we have incurred significant
net losses since our inception. As of June 30, 1999, we had an accumulated
deficit of $50.0 million. We incurred net losses of $12.0 million for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1998 and $35.1 million for the six months ended June 30,
1999. We will continue to incur significant capital and operating expenses over
the next several years in connection with our planned expansion, and we expect
to continue to have operating losses for the foreseeable future.
                           -------------------------

                                  THE OFFERING

Common stock offered by Webvan........  25,000,000 shares


Common stock to be outstanding after
this offering.........................  321,214,226 shares


Proposed Nasdaq National Market
symbol................................  "WBVN"

Use of proceeds.......................  Funding construction of and equipment
                                        for distribution centers and for general
                                        corporate purposes, including working
                                        capital. See "Use of Proceeds".


     The shares of common stock to be outstanding after the offering are stated
as of September 30, 1999 and include 205,760,277 shares of common stock to be
issued upon automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our preferred
stock upon completion of this offering. The shares of common stock to be
outstanding exclude:



     - 102,500,000 shares of common stock authorized for issuance under our
       stock option plans, of which 60,697,426 shares at a weighted average
       exercise price of $2.98 were subject to outstanding options as of
       September 30, 1999; and



     - 4,059,804 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding
       warrants as of September 30, 1999 at a weighted average exercise price of
       $1.49.



     All of the information in this prospectus reflects a three-for-two split of
our outstanding shares of common stock and preferred stock on September 21, 1999
and assumes:



     - the conversion of all outstanding shares of preferred stock into shares
       of common stock prior to the closing of this offering; and


     - no exercise of the underwriters' overallotment option.
                           -------------------------

                             CORPORATE INFORMATION


     We were incorporated in California in December 1996 as Intelligent Systems
for Retail, Inc. and changed our state of incorporation to Delaware in October
1999. Our principal executive offices are located at 1241 East Hillsdale
Boulevard, Suite 210, Foster City, California 94404, and our telephone number at
that address is (650) 524-2200. Our address on the World Wide Web is
http://www.webvan.com. References to our web site do not incorporate by
reference the information contained at our web site into this prospectus.


                                        2
<PAGE>   5

                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          PERIOD FROM
                                          DECEMBER 17,
                                              1996                              SIX MONTHS
                                         (INCEPTION) TO    YEAR ENDED         ENDED JUNE 30,
                                          DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,   -------------------------
      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF              1997            1998          1998          1999
           OPERATIONS DATA:              --------------   ------------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                      <C>              <C>            <C>           <C>
Net sales..............................    $        --    $        --    $        --   $       395
Cost of goods sold.....................             --             --             --           419
                                           -----------    -----------    -----------   -----------
  Gross profit.........................             --             --             --           (24)
Operating expenses:
  Software development.................            244          3,010            765         6,308
  General and administrative...........          2,612          8,825          2,739        25,296
  Amortization of deferred stock
     compensation......................             --          1,060             43         3,953
                                           -----------    -----------    -----------   -----------
     Total operating expenses..........          2,856         12,895          3,547        35,557
                                           -----------    -----------    -----------   -----------
Interest income........................             85            923            285         1,641
Interest expense.......................             69             32             --         1,194
                                           -----------    -----------    -----------   -----------
  Net interest income..................             16            891            285           447
                                           -----------    -----------    -----------   -----------
Net loss...............................    $    (2,840)   $   (12,004)   $    (3,262)  $   (35,134)
                                           ===========    ===========    ===========   ===========
Basic and diluted net loss per share...    $     (0.08)   $     (0.18)   $     (0.05)  $     (0.48)
                                           ===========    ===========    ===========   ===========
Shares used in calculating basic and
  diluted net loss per share...........     37,406,785     67,114,048     65,075,326    73,280,388
                                           ===========    ===========    ===========   ===========
Pro forma basic and diluted net loss
  per share(1).........................                   $     (0.06)                 $     (0.14)
                                                          ===========                  ===========
Shares used in computing pro forma
  basic and diluted net loss per
  share(1).............................                   201,978,419                  253,743,194
                                                          ===========                  ===========

OTHER OPERATING DATA:
Capital expenditures...................    $       265    $    32,669    $     4,283   $    25,948
Depreciation and amortization..........             57          1,323             93         6,626
</TABLE>

- -------------------------
(1) See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

     The following table provides a consolidated summary of our balance sheets.
The Pro Forma column reflects the closing of the sale of an aggregate of
21,670,605 shares of our Series D preferred stock in July and August 1999 for
approximately $275.0 million and the conversion of all outstanding shares of
preferred stock into common stock immediately prior to the closing of this
offering. The Pro Forma As Adjusted column also reflects the issuance of the
shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering
price of $12.00 per share.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         JUNE 30, 1999
                                              DECEMBER 31,     ----------------------------------
                                            ----------------                           PRO FORMA
                                             1997     1998      ACTUAL    PRO FORMA   AS ADJUSTED
                                            ------   -------   --------   ---------   -----------
<S>                                         <C>      <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and equivalents......................  $2,935   $13,839   $ 21,836   $296,736     $577,336
Working capital...........................   7,693    10,923     31,773    306,673      587,273
Total assets..............................   8,279    60,009    112,429    387,329      667,929
Long-term liabilities.....................      17    14,337     14,216     14,216       14,216
Total shareholders' equity................   7,972    33,612     79,626    354,526      635,126
</TABLE>

                                        3
<PAGE>   6

                                  RISK FACTORS

     You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below
before purchasing our common stock. If any of the following risks actually
occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be
harmed. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and
you could lose all or part of your investment.

WE ARE AN EARLY-STAGE COMPANY OPERATING IN A NEW AND RAPIDLY EVOLVING MARKET.

     We were incorporated in December 1996. From 1997 through May 1999, we were
focused on developing our Webstore and constructing and equipping our first
distribution center serving the San Francisco Bay Area. We did not begin
commercial operations until June 1999. Our limited operating history makes an
evaluation of our business and prospects very difficult. You must consider our
business and prospects in light of the risks and difficulties we encounter as an
early stage company in the new and rapidly evolving market of e-commerce. These
risks and difficulties include, but are not limited to:

     - a complex and unproven business system;

     - lack of sufficient customers, orders, net sales or cash flow;

     - difficulties in managing rapid growth in personnel and operations;

     - high capital expenditures associated with our distribution centers,
       systems and technologies; and

     - lack of widespread acceptance of the Internet as a means of purchasing
       groceries and other consumer products.

     We cannot be certain that our business strategy will be successful or that
we will successfully address these risks. Our failure to address any of the
risks described above could have a material adverse effect on our business.


OUR BUSINESS SYSTEM IS NEW AND UNPROVEN AT HIGH VOLUMES AND MAY BE UNABLE TO
OPERATE AT DESIGNED CAPACITY.



     We have designed a new business system which integrates our Webstore,
highly automated distribution center and complex order fulfillment and delivery
operations. We have only been delivering products to customers commercially
since we launched our Webstore on June 2, 1999 and the average daily volume of
orders that we have had to fulfill to date has been significantly below our
designed capacity of 8,000 orders per day and the levels that are necessary for
us to achieve profitability. Although our initial distribution center was
designed to process product volumes equivalent to approximately 18 supermarkets,
we have only been operating at less than 20% of such designed capacity.



     We do not expect our distribution center to operate at designed capacity
for several years, and there can be assurance that the distribution center will
ever operate at or near its designed capacity. If our distribution center is
able to operate at its designed capacity seven days per week, we estimate that
it would generate annual revenue of approximately $300 million assuming an
average order size of approximately $103.00. Our average order size from our
commercial launch on June 2, 1999 through September 30, 1999 has been
approximately $71.00. Thus, our average order size would have to increase by
over $30.00 for the distribution center to be able to generate annual revenue of
$300 million at its designed capacity. There can be no assurance that our
average order size will remain at current levels or increase in the future or
that the number of orders we process per day will reach our designed capacity.
If our average order size does not increase substantially or if the distribution
center is not able to operate at designed capacity, our annual revenue at such
distribution center would be substantially less than $300 million.


                                        4
<PAGE>   7


     It is not practicable to test our system at high volumes except by
processing commercial orders. As part of our testing process, we have
voluntarily limited the number of customer orders accepted in any given delivery
window in an effort to ensure that our systems and technologies function
properly while maintaining a high level of customer service. We plan to
incrementally increase our voluntary limit on orders as our systems and
technologies are proven at each incremental volume level. As a result, the
success of our system in a high order volume environment has yet to be proven.
Based on our operational experiences, refinements or modifications to our
business systems and technologies may be necessary or advisable. We cannot
assure you that our business system will be able to accommodate a significant
increase in the number of customers and orders, or that our initial distribution
center or other distribution centers will in fact operate at or near designed
capacity. If we are unable to effectively accommodate substantial increases in
customer orders, we may lose existing customers or fail to add new customers,
which would adversely affect our business, net sales and operating margins.


OUR BUSINESS SYSTEM IS COMPLEX, AND WE ARE PERIODICALLY AFFECTED BY OPERATIONAL
DIFFICULTIES.

     Our business system relies on the complex integration of numerous software
and hardware subsystems that utilize advanced algorithms to manage the entire
process from the receipt and processing of goods at our distribution center to
the picking, packing and delivery of these goods to customers in a 30-minute
delivery window. We have, from time to time, experienced operational "bugs" in
our systems and technologies which have resulted in order errors such as missing
items and delays in deliveries. We expect bugs to continue to occur from time to
time, and we cannot assure you that our operations will not be adversely
affected. The efficient operation of our business system is critical to consumer
acceptance of our service. If we are unable to meet customer demand or service
expectations as a result of operational issues, our ability to develop customer
relationships that result in repeat orders will be adversely affected.

OUR BUSINESS SYSTEM MAY NOT BE READILY OR COST-EFFECTIVELY REPLICABLE IN
ADDITIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MARKETS.


     A critical part of our business strategy is to expand our business by
opening additional distribution centers in new and existing markets to achieve
economies of scale and leverage our significant and ongoing capital investment
in our proprietary business system. While we currently plan to open three
additional distribution centers in 2000 in the Atlanta, Chicago and Seattle
markets, and seven additional distribution centers in 2001, our expansion
strategy is dependent upon the ability of our proprietary business system and
enabling software to be readily replicated to facilitate our expansion into
additional geographic markets on a timely and cost-effective basis. Because our
business system is extremely complex and we currently have only one distribution
center, we have not demonstrated whether our proprietary business system is in
fact readily and cost-effectively replicable.


     Our ability to successfully and cost-effectively replicate our business
system in additional geographic markets will also depend upon a number of
factors, including:

     - the availability of appropriate and affordable sites that can accommodate
       our distribution centers;

     - our ability to successfully and cost-effectively hire and train qualified
       employees to operate new distribution centers;

     - our ability to develop relationships with local and regional
       distributors, vendors and other product providers;

     - acceptance of our product and service offerings; and

     - competition.

                                        5
<PAGE>   8

     The number and timing of opening of new distribution centers are dependent
on these factors and are therefore subject to considerable uncertainty. If the
replication element of our expansion strategy fails, we could incur substantial
additional operating costs and be forced to delay our entrance into other
markets.

OUR EXPANSION PLANS ARE DEPENDENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF, AND OUR RELATIONSHIP
WITH, BECHTEL CORPORATION.

     In July 1999, we entered into an agreement with Bechtel for the
construction of up to 26 additional distribution centers over the next three
years. We expect that our next 26 distribution centers following our Atlanta,
Georgia distribution center will be constructed by Bechtel pursuant to this
agreement. The success of our expansion program is highly dependent on the
success of our relationship with Bechtel and Bechtel's ability to perform its
obligations under the contract. We have no prior working relationship with
Bechtel and we cannot assure you that we will not encounter unexpected delays or
design problems in connection with the build-out of our distribution centers. If
our relationship with Bechtel fails for any reason, we would be forced to engage
another contractor, which would likely result in a significant delay in our
expansion plans.

WE HAVE NO EXPERIENCE IN MANAGING GEOGRAPHICALLY DIVERSE OPERATIONS.

     Although we plan to expand geographically, we have no experience operating
in any other regions or in managing multiple distribution centers. Accordingly,
the success of our planned expansion will depend upon a number of factors,
including:

     - our ability to integrate the operations of new distribution centers into
       our existing operations;

     - our ability to coordinate and manage distribution operations in multiple,
       geographically distant locations; and

     - our ability to establish and maintain adequate management and information
       systems and financial controls.

     Our failure to successfully address these factors could have a material
adverse effect on our ability to expand and on our results of operations.

WE ANTICIPATE FUTURE LOSSES AND NEGATIVE CASH FLOW.

     We have experienced significant net losses and negative cash flow since our
inception. As of June 30, 1999, we had an accumulated deficit of $50.0 million.
We incurred net losses of $12.0 million for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998 and $35.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999. We will continue
to incur significant capital and operating expenses over the next several years
in connection with our planned expansion, including:

     - the construction of and equipment for new distribution centers in
       additional geographic markets at an estimated cost of $25.0 million to
       $35.0 million per distribution center;

     - the continued expansion and development of operations at our existing
       distribution center;

     - increases in personnel at our current and future distribution centers;

     - brand development, marketing and other promotional activities;

     - the continued development of our computer network, Webstore, warehouse
       management and order fulfillment systems and delivery infrastructure; and

     - the development of strategic business relationships.

                                        6
<PAGE>   9


As a result, we expect to continue to have operating losses and negative cash
flow on a quarterly and annual basis for the foreseeable future. If a
distribution center is able to successfully operate at the volume and cost
levels expected to be reached by a distribution center at the end of the first
year of operation, our annualized earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization for that distribution center, viewed as a stand-alone business
unit and without regard to headquarters' costs, would be positive. If a
distribution center is able to operate successfully at volumes and costs
expected to be reached through the end of the third year of operations, the
earnings on an equivalent stand-alone basis from launch through the end of that
period for such distribution center would approximate the expected cost of
constructing and equipping such distribution center. To achieve profitability at
a distribution center, we must accomplish the following objectives:


     - substantially increase our number of customers and the number of orders
       placed by our customers;

     - generate a sufficient average order size;


     - realize repeat orders from a significant number of customers; and



     - achieve favorable gross and operating margins.



     We cannot assure you that we will be able to achieve these objectives. In
addition, because of the significant capital and operating expenses associated
with our expansion plan, our overall losses will increase significantly from
current levels. If we do achieve profitability, at a distribution center on a
stand-alone basis or overall, we cannot be certain that we would be able to
sustain or increase such profitability on a quarterly or annual basis in the
future. If we cannot achieve or sustain profitability, we may not be able to
meet our working capital requirements, which would have a material adverse
effect on our business.


THE SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL INVESTMENT REQUIRED BY OUR BUSINESS DESIGN MAY ADVERSELY
AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO ENTER ADDITIONAL MARKETS IN A TIMELY AND EFFECTIVE MANNER
AND COULD HARM OUR COMPETITIVE POSITION.

     Our business design requires a significant capital investment to build,
equip and launch distribution centers and local stations in the markets in which
we seek to operate. Our competitors have developed or may develop systems that
are not as highly automated or capital-intensive as ours. This could enable them
to commence operations in a particular geographic market before we are able to
do so, which could harm our competitive position. In addition, because of the
substantial capital costs associated with the development of our distribution
centers, we will be unable to achieve profitability or reduce our operating
losses if we do not process sufficient order volumes.

WE FACE INTENSE COMPETITION FROM TRADITIONAL AND ONLINE RETAILERS OF GROCERY
PRODUCTS.

     The grocery retailing market is extremely competitive. Local, regional, and
national food chains, independent food stores and markets, as well as online
grocery retailers comprise our principal competition, although we also face
substantial competition from convenience stores, liquor retailers, membership
warehouse clubs, specialty retailers, supercenters, and drugstore chains. Many
of our existing and potential competitors, particularly traditional grocers and
retailers, are larger and have substantially greater resources than we do. We
expect this competition will intensify as more traditional and online grocery
retailers offer competitive services.

     Our initial distribution center in Oakland, California operates in the San
Francisco Bay Area market. In this market, we compete primarily with traditional
grocery retailers and with online grocers NetGrocer and Peapod. The number and
nature of competitors and the amount of competition we will experience will vary
by market area. In other markets, we expect to compete with these and other
online grocers, including HomeGrocer, HomeRuns and Streamline. The principal
competitive factors that affect our business are location, breadth of product
selection, quality, service, price and consumer loyalty to traditional and
online grocery retailers. If we fail to effectively compete in any one of these
areas, we may lose existing and potential customers which would have a material
adverse effect on our business, net sales and operating margins.

                                        7
<PAGE>   10


IF WE FAIL TO GENERATE SUFFICIENT LEVELS OF REPEAT ORDERS AND MARKET
PENETRATION, OUR BUSINESS AND NET SALES WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.



     In the online retail industry, customer attrition rates, or the rates at
which subscribers cancel a service, are generally high. Although we do not
charge on a subscription basis for our service, we do depend upon customers to
continue to order from us after their initial order is placed, and we compete to
retain customers once they have used our service.



     In addition, the success of our business depends on our ability to
establish sufficient levels of market penetration in each market in which we
operate. For instance, we believe that if approximately 1% of the households in
the San Francisco Bay Area use our service on a consistent basis, we can achieve
positive earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, for the
distribution center serving that area viewed as a stand-alone business unit. In
general, in most other markets, we believe we will need to achieve penetration
levels of approximately 1% to 3% in order to achieve positive earnings on a
similar basis. However, we cannot assure you as to the levels of penetration we
will achieve in the San Francisco Bay Area or in other markets, and even if we
do achieve these levels of penetration, we cannot assure you that we will
achieve positive earnings.



     If we experience significant decreases in repeat customer orders as a
percentage of orders delivered, or if we are unable to establish sufficient
market penetration levels, our business and net sales could be materially
adversely affected.


THE INTERNET MAY FAIL TO BECOME A WIDELY ACCEPTED MEDIUM FOR GROCERY SHOPPING.

     We rely solely on product orders received through our Webstore for sales.
The market for e-commerce is new and rapidly evolving, and it is uncertain
whether e-commerce will achieve and sustain high levels of demand and market
acceptance, particularly with respect to the grocery industry. Our success will
depend to a substantial extent on the willingness of consumers to increase their
use of online services as a method to buy groceries and other products and
services. Our success will also depend upon our vendors' acceptance of our
online service as a significant means to market and sell their products.
Moreover, our growth will depend on the extent to which an increasing number of
consumers own or have access to personal computers or other systems that can
access the Internet. If e-commerce in the grocery industry does not achieve high
levels of demand and market acceptance, our business will be materially
adversely affected.

OUR EFFORTS TO BUILD STRONG BRAND IDENTITY AND CUSTOMER LOYALTY MAY NOT BE
SUCCESSFUL.

     Since we only recently launched the Webvan brand, we currently do not have
strong brand identity or brand loyalty. We believe that establishing and
maintaining brand identity and brand loyalty is critical to attracting consumers
and vendors. Furthermore, we believe that the importance of brand loyalty will
increase with the proliferation of Internet retailers. In order to attract and
retain consumers and vendors, and respond to competitive pressures, we intend to
increase spending substantially to create and maintain brand loyalty among these
groups. We plan to accomplish this goal by expanding our current radio and
newspaper advertising campaigns and by conducting online and television
advertising campaigns. We believe that advertising rates, and the cost of our
advertising campaigns in particular, could increase substantially in the future.
If our branding efforts are not successful, our net sales and ability to attract
customers will be materially and adversely affected.

     Promotion and enhancement of the Webvan brand will also depend on our
success in consistently providing a high-quality consumer experience for
purchasing groceries and other products. If consumers, other Internet users and
vendors do not perceive our service offerings to be of high quality, or if we
introduce new services that are not favorably received by these groups, the
value of the Webvan brand could be harmed. Any brand impairment or dilution
could decrease the attractiveness of Webvan to one or more of these groups,
which could harm our reputation, reduce our net sales and cause us to lose
customers.

                                        8
<PAGE>   11

IF WE ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES OF PRODUCTS FROM OUR KEY
VENDORS, OUR NET SALES WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.

     We expect to derive a significant percentage of our net sales from
high-volume items, well-known brand name products and fresh foods. We source
products from a network of manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors. We
currently rely on national and regional distributors for a substantial portion
of our items. We also utilize premium specialty suppliers or local sources for
gourmet foods, farm fresh produce, fresh fish and meats. From time to time, we
may experience difficulty in obtaining sufficient product allocations from a key
vendor. In addition, our key vendors may establish their own online retailing
efforts, which may impact our ability to get sufficient product allocations from
these vendors. Many of our key vendors also supply products to the retail
grocery industry and our online competitors. If we are unable to obtain
sufficient quantities of products from our key vendors to meet customer demand,
our net sales and results of operations would be materially adversely affected.

WE CURRENTLY OPERATE ONLY ONE DISTRIBUTION CENTER WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE SAN
FRANCISCO BAY AREA.

     We currently operate only one distribution center, which is located in
Oakland, California and serves the San Francisco Bay Area. We do not expect to
begin operating a second distribution center until the second quarter of 2000.
Therefore, our business and operations would be materially adversely affected if
any of the following events affected our current distribution center or the San
Francisco Bay Area:

     - prolonged power or equipment failures;

     - disruptions in our web site, computer network, software and our order
       fulfillment and delivery systems;

     - disruptions in the transportation infrastructure including bridges,
       tunnels and roads;

     - refrigeration failures; or

     - fires, floods, earthquakes or other disasters.

     Since the San Francisco Bay Area is located in an earthquake-sensitive
area, we are particularly susceptible to the risk of damage to, or total
destruction of, our distribution center and the surrounding transportation
infrastructure caused by earthquakes. We cannot assure you that we are
adequately insured to cover the total amount of any losses caused by any of the
above events. In addition, we are not insured against any losses due to
interruptions in our business due to damage to or destruction of our
distribution center caused by earthquakes or to major transportation
infrastructure disruptions or other events that do not occur on our premises.

WE MAY NEED SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL CAPITAL TO FUND OUR PLANNED EXPANSION, AND WE
CANNOT BE SURE THAT ADDITIONAL FINANCING WILL BE AVAILABLE.

     We require substantial amounts of working capital to fund our business. In
addition, the opening of new distribution centers and the continued development
of our order fulfillment and delivery systems requires significant amounts of
capital. Since our inception, we have experienced negative cash flow from
operations and expect to experience significant negative cash flow from
operations for the foreseeable future. In the past, we have funded our operating
losses and capital expenditures through proceeds from equity offerings, debt
financing and equipment leases. In addition to the proceeds from this offering,
we expect to require substantial additional capital to fund our expansion
program and operating expenses. We currently anticipate that the net proceeds of
this offering, together with our available funds, will be sufficient to meet our
anticipated needs for working capital and capital expenditures through the next
12 months. In July 1999, we entered into an agreement with Bechtel for the
construction of up to 26 additional distribution centers over the next three
years. Although the Company has no specific capital commitment under this
agreement, our expenditures under the contract are estimated to be approximately
$1.0 billion. Our future capital needs will be

                                        9
<PAGE>   12

highly dependent on the number of additional distribution centers we open, the
timing of openings and the success of our facilities once they are launched.
Therefore, we may need to raise additional capital to fund our planned
expansion. We cannot be certain that additional financing will be available to
us on favorable terms when required, or at all. If we are unable to obtain
sufficient additional capital when needed, we could be forced to alter our
business strategy, delay or abandon some of our expansion plans or sell assets.
Any of these events would have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and our ability to reduce losses or generate profits. In
addition, if we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity,
equity-linked or debt securities, those securities may have rights, preferences
or privileges senior to those of the rights of our common stock and our
stockholders may experience additional dilution.

OUR LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY MAKES FINANCIAL FORECASTING DIFFICULT.

     As a result of our limited operating history, it is difficult to accurately
forecast our revenue and we have no meaningful historical financial data upon
which to base planned operating expenses. We base our current and future expense
levels on our operating plans and estimates of future revenue, and our expenses
are dependent in large part upon our facilities and product costs. Sales and
operating results are difficult to forecast because they generally depend on the
growth of our customer base and the volume of the orders we receive, as well as
the mix of products sold. As a result, we may be unable to make accurate
financial forecasts and adjust our spending in a timely manner to compensate for
any unexpected revenue shortfall. This inability could cause our net losses in a
given quarter to be greater than expected and could cause a decline in the
trading price of our common stock.

OUR QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE VOLATILE AND DIFFICULT TO
PREDICT BASED ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS THAT WILL ALSO AFFECT OUR LONG-TERM
PERFORMANCE.

     We expect our quarterly operating results to fluctuate significantly in the
future based on a variety of factors. These factors are also expected to affect
our long-term performance. Some of these factors include the following:

     - the timing of our expansion plans as we construct and begin to operate
       new distribution centers in additional geographic markets;

     - changes in pricing policies or our product and service offerings;

     - increases in personnel, marketing and other operating expenses to support
       our anticipated growth;

     - our inability to obtain new customers or retain existing customers at
       reasonable cost;

     - our inability to manage our distribution and delivery operations to
       handle significant increases in the number of customers and orders or to
       overcome system or technology difficulties associated with these
       increases;

     - our inability to adequately maintain, upgrade and develop our Webstore,
       our computer network or the systems that we use to process customer
       orders and payments;

     - competitive factors; and

     - technical difficulties, system or web site downtime or Internet
       brownouts.

In addition to these factors, our quarterly operating results are expected to
fluctuate based upon seasonal purchasing patterns of our customers and the mix
of groceries and other products sold by us.

     Due to all of these factors, we expect our operating results to be volatile
and difficult to predict. As a result, quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our
operating results may not be good indicators of our future performance. In
addition, it is possible that in any future quarter our operating results could
be below the expectations of investors generally and any published reports or
analyses of Webvan. In that event, the price of our common stock could decline,
perhaps substantially.
                                       10
<PAGE>   13


YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION SET FORTH IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND NOT
RELY ON RECENT PUBLICITY OR ON PROJECTIONS.



     In an article in a securities industry Internet periodical dated October 6,
1999, information regarding this offering and Webvan was published. This article
was published without our consent. Some of the information in the article was
attributed to oral statements made by members of our management team during a
conference call held for prospective investors. The author of the article was
not invited to participate in the conference call. While the factual statements
about Webvan in the article are disclosed in this prospectus, the article
presented these statements in isolation and did not disclose the related risks
and uncertainties described in this prospectus. As a result, these statements
should not be considered in isolation and you should make your investment
decision only after reading this entire prospectus carefully.



     The article also referred to a projected loss of over $300 million for the
year 2001 stated during the call by a representative of Goldman, Sachs & Co. The
representative of Goldman, Sachs & Co. stated during the call that its financial
projections for our company were: $11.9 million of revenue and a $73.8 million
net loss for the year 1999, $120.0 million of revenue and a $154.3 million net
loss for the year 2000 and $518.2 million of revenue and a $302 million net loss
for the year 2001. These projections are based upon a number of estimates and
assumptions and are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and
contingencies, including the timing and cost of our distribution center roll-
out, the volume and size of customer orders, market penetration and competition.
These projections were not prepared with a view toward compliance with published
guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants or generally accepted accounting principles. For
example, the projections do not take into account any amortization related to
stock-based compensation. No independent accountants have expressed an opinion
or any other form of assurance on these projections. Projections are necessarily
speculative in nature, and it can be expected that one or more of the estimates
on which the projections were based will not materialize or will vary
significantly from actual results, and such variances will likely increase over
time. We also have a very limited operating history from which to derive
financial projections. Accordingly, actual results during the periods covered
will vary from the financial projections, which variations may be material and
adverse. For these reasons, you should not rely on these projections.
Furthermore, we do not make, and in the future do not intend to make, public
financial projections.



     In addition the October 18, 1999 issue of Forbes magazine contained an
article regarding George Shaheen leaving Andersen Consulting to become the Chief
Executive Officer of Webvan. The Forbes article attributed the following
statements to Mr. Shaheen: "Webvan was all about leveraging technology and
reinventing the grocery business, just as Andersen had reinvented consulting",
Webvan will "set the rules for the largest consumer sector in the economy. The
creation of 26 distribution centers -- each one bigger than 18 conventional
supermarkets -- will take costs out of the equation", and "The key to e-commerce
is all about the last mile to the customer". These statements were not intended
to be relied upon by potential investors in making an investment decision to
purchase the common stock in this offering. In particular, Andersen Consulting
and Webvan are vastly different businesses and you should not make any
comparison between the two companies. You should not rely on the information in
the Forbes article or on any other information not contained in this prospectus.



     The Company has received, and may continue to receive, a high degree of
media coverage, including coverage that it not directly attributable to
statements made by Webvan's officers and employees. Neither we nor any of the
underwriters in this offering have confirmed, endorsed or adopted these
third-party statements for utilization by, or distribution to, prospective
purchasers in this offering. To the extent any such statements are inconsistent
with, or conflict with, the information contained in this prospectus, or relate
to information not contained in this prospectus, they are disclaimed by us and
the underwriters. Accordingly, prospective investors should not rely on such
third-party statements, or any other information not contained in this
prospectus.


                                       11
<PAGE>   14


IF WE EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS IN OUR DELIVERY OPERATIONS, OUR BUSINESS COULD BE
SERIOUSLY HARMED.


     We use our own couriers to deliver products from our distribution center to
our local stations, and from the local stations to our customers. We are
therefore subject to the risks associated with our ability to provide delivery
services to meet our shipping needs, including potential labor activism or
employee strikes, inclement weather, disruptions in the transportation
infrastructure, including bridges, roads and traffic congestion. In addition,
our failure to deliver products to our customers in a timely and accurate manner
or to meet our targeted delivery times would harm our reputation and brand,
which would have a material adverse effect on our business and net sales.

OUR NET SALES WOULD BE HARMED IF OUR ONLINE SECURITY MEASURES FAIL.

     Our relationships with our customers may be adversely affected if the
security measures that we use to protect their personal information, such as
credit card numbers, are ineffective. If, as a result, we lose many customers,
our net sales and results of operations would be harmed. We rely on security and
authentication technology to perform real-time credit card authorization and
verification with our bank. We cannot predict whether events or developments
will result in a compromise or breach of the technology we use to protect a
customer's personal information.

     Furthermore, our computer servers may be vulnerable to computer viruses,
physical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions. We may need to expend
significant additional capital and other resources to protect against a security
breach or to alleviate problems caused by any breaches. We cannot assure you
that we can prevent all security breaches, and any failure to do so could have a
material adverse effect on our reputation and results of operations.

THE LOSS OF THE SERVICES OF ONE OR MORE OF OUR KEY PERSONNEL, OR OUR FAILURE TO
ATTRACT, ASSIMILATE AND RETAIN OTHER HIGHLY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL IN THE FUTURE
WOULD SERIOUSLY HARM OUR BUSINESS.

     The loss of the services of one or more of our key personnel could
seriously harm our business. We depend on the continued services and performance
of our senior management and other key personnel, particularly Louis H. Borders,
our founder and Chairman of the Board. Our future success also depends upon the
continued service of our executive officers and other key software development,
merchandising, marketing and support personnel. None of our officers or key
employees are bound by an employment agreement and our relationships with these
officers and key employees are at will. The "key person" life insurance policy
we currently hold for Mr. Borders expires in January 2000 and would not be
sufficient to compensate for the loss of his services. Additionally, there are
low levels of unemployment in the San Francisco Bay Area and in many of the
regions in which we plan to operate. These low levels of unemployment have led
to pressure on wage rates, which can make it more difficult and costly for us to
attract and retain qualified employees. The loss of key personnel, or the
failure to attract additional personnel, could have a material adverse effect on
our business, results of operations and performance in specific geographic
markets.


SEVERAL KEY MEMBERS OF OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM HAVE ONLY RECENTLY JOINED US AND IF
THEY ARE NOT SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATED INTO OUR BUSINESS OR FAIL TO WORK TOGETHER
AS A MANAGEMENT TEAM, OUR BUSINESS WILL SUFFER.



     Several key members of our management team have joined us since August 1,
1999, including George T. Shaheen, our President and Chief Executive Officer,
and we expect to hire additional key personnel. If we do not effectively
integrate these employees into our business, or if they do not work together as
a management team to enable us to implement our business strategy, our business
will suffer.


                                       12
<PAGE>   15

WE MAY NEED TO CHANGE THE MANNER IN WHICH WE CONDUCT OUR BUSINESS IF GOVERNMENT
REGULATION OF THE INTERNET INCREASES OR IF REGULATION DIRECTED AT LARGE-SCALE
RETAIL OPERATIONS IS DEEMED APPLICABLE TO US.

     The adoption or modification of laws or regulations relating to the
Internet and large-scale retail store operations could adversely affect the
manner in which we currently conduct our business. In addition, the growth and
development of the market for online commerce may lead to more stringent
consumer protection laws which may impose additional burdens on us. Laws and
regulations directly applicable to communications or commerce over the Internet
are becoming more prevalent. The United States government recently enacted
Internet laws regarding privacy, copyrights, taxation and the transmission of
sexually explicit material. The law of the Internet, however, remains largely
unsettled, even in areas where there has been some legislative action. It may
take years to determine whether and how existing laws such as those governing
intellectual property, privacy, libel and taxation apply to the Internet. In
addition, the Governor of California recently vetoed legislation which would
have prohibited a public agency from authorizing retail store developments
exceeding 100,000 square feet if more than a small portion of the store were
devoted to the sale of non-taxable items, such as groceries. While it is not
clear whether our operations would be considered a retail store for purposes of
this kind of legislation, we cannot assure you that other state or local
governments will not seek to enact similar laws or that we would be successful
if forced to challenge the applicability of this kind of legislation to our
distribution facilities. The expenses associated with any challenge to this kind
of legislation could be material. If we are required to comply with new
regulations or legislation or new interpretations of existing regulations or
legislation, this compliance could cause us to incur additional expenses or
alter our business model.

WE MAY INCUR SIGNIFICANT COSTS OR EXPERIENCE PRODUCT AVAILABILITY DELAYS IN
COMPLYING WITH REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO THE SALE OF FOOD PRODUCTS.

     As of the date of this prospectus, we are not subject to regulation by the
United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA. Whether the handling of food
items in our distribution facility, such as meat and fish, will subject us to
USDA regulation in the future will depend on several factors, including whether
we sell food products on a wholesale basis or whether we obtain food products
from non-USDA inspected facilities. Although we have designed our food handling
operations to comply with USDA regulations, we cannot assure you that the USDA
will not require changes to our food handling operations. We will also be
required to comply with local health regulations concerning the preparation and
packaging of our prepared meals and other food items. Any applicable federal,
state or local regulations may cause us to incur substantial compliance costs or
delay the availability of a number of items at one or more of our distribution
centers. In addition, any inquiry or investigation from a food regulatory
authority could have a negative impact on our reputation. Any of these events
could have a material adverse effect on our business and expansion plans and
could cause us to lose customers.

WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OBTAIN REQUIRED LICENSES OR PERMITS FOR THE SALE OF
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS IN A COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER OR AT ALL.

     We will be required to obtain state licenses and permits for the sale of
alcohol and tobacco products in each location in which we seek to open a
distribution center. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain any
required permits or licenses in a timely manner, or at all. We may be forced to
incur substantial costs and experience significant delays in obtaining these
permits or licenses. In addition, the United States Congress is considering
enacting legislation which would restrict the interstate sale of alcoholic
beverages over the Internet. Changes to existing laws or our inability to obtain
required permits or licenses could prevent us from selling alcohol or tobacco
products in one or more of our geographic markets. Any of these events could
substantially harm our net sales, gross profit and ability to attract and retain
customers.

                                       13
<PAGE>   16

IN THE FUTURE WE MAY FACE POTENTIAL PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS.

     We cannot assure you that the products that we deliver will be free from
contaminants. Grocery and other related products occasionally contain
contaminants due to inherent defects in the products or improper storage or
handling. If any of the products that we sell cause harm to any of our
customers, we could be subject to product liability lawsuits. If we are found
liable under a product liability claim, or even if we are required to defend
ourselves against such a claim, our reputation could suffer and customers may
substantially reduce their orders or stop ordering from us.

OUR NET SALES WOULD BE HARMED IF WE EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT CREDIT CARD FRAUD.

     A failure to adequately control fraudulent credit card transactions would
harm our net sales and results of operations because we do not carry insurance
against this risk. We may suffer losses as a result of orders placed with
fraudulent credit card data even though the associated financial institution
approved payment of the orders. Under current credit card practices, we are
liable for fraudulent credit card transactions because we do not obtain a
cardholder's signature. Because we have had an extremely short operating
history, we cannot predict our future levels of bad debt expense.

IF THE PROTECTION OF OUR TRADEMARKS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS IS INADEQUATE, OUR
BUSINESS MAY BE SERIOUSLY HARMED.

     We regard patent rights, copyrights, service marks, trademarks, trade
secrets and similar intellectual property as important to our success. We rely
on patent, trademark and copyright law, trade secret protection and
confidentiality or license agreements with our employees, customers, partners
and others to protect our proprietary rights; however, the steps we take to
protect our proprietary rights may be inadequate. We currently have no patents.
We have filed, and from time to time expect to file, patent applications
directed to aspects of our proprietary technology. We cannot assure you that any
of these applications will be approved, that any issued patents will protect our
intellectual property or that any issued patents will not be challenged by third
parties. In addition, other parties may independently develop similar or
competing technology or design around any patents that may be issued to us. Our
failure to protect our proprietary rights could materially adversely affect our
business and competitive position.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CLAIMS AGAINST US CAN BE COSTLY AND COULD RESULT IN THE
LOSS OF SIGNIFICANT RIGHTS.

     Patent, trademark and other intellectual property rights are becoming
increasingly important to us and other e-commerce vendors. Many companies are
devoting significant resources to developing patents that could affect many
aspects of our business. Other parties may assert infringement or unfair
competition claims against us that could relate to any aspect of our
technologies, business processes or other intellectual property. We cannot
predict whether third parties will assert claims of infringement against us, the
subject matter of any of these claims, or whether these assertions or
prosecutions will harm our business. If we are forced to defend ourselves
against any of these claims, whether they are with or without merit or are
determined in our favor, then we may face costly litigation, diversion of
technical and management personnel, inability to use our current web site
technology, or product shipment delays. As a result of a dispute, we may have to
develop non-infringing technology or enter into royalty or licensing agreements.
These royalty or licensing agreements, if required, may be unavailable on terms
acceptable to us, or at all. If there is a successful claim of patent
infringement against us and we are unable to develop non-infringing technology
or license the infringed or similar technology on a timely basis, our business
and competitive position may be materially adversely affected.

                                       14
<PAGE>   17

ANY DEFICIENCIES IN OUR SYSTEMS OR THE SYSTEMS OF THIRD PARTIES ON WHICH WE RELY
COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS AND RESULT IN A LOSS OF CUSTOMERS.

     Our Webstore may experience slower response times or disruptions in service
for a variety of reasons including failures or interruptions in our systems. In
addition, our users depend on Internet service providers, online service
providers and other web site operators for access to our Webstore. Many of them
have experienced significant outages in the past and could experience outages,
delays and other difficulties due to system failures unrelated to our systems.
Moreover, the Internet infrastructure may not be able to support continued
growth in its use. Any of these problems could have a material adverse effect on
our business and could result in a loss of customers.

     Our communications hardware and certain of our other computer hardware
operations are located at the facilities of Exodus Communications, Inc. in Santa
Clara, California. The hardware for our warehouse management and materials
handling systems is maintained in our Oakland, California distribution center.
Fires, floods, earthquakes, power losses, telecommunications failures, break-ins
and similar events could damage these systems or cause them to fail completely.
Computer viruses, electronic break-ins or other similar disruptive problems
could also adversely affect our Webstore. Our business could be adversely
affected if our systems were affected by any of these occurrences. Problems
faced by Exodus, with the telecommunications network providers with whom it
contracts or with the systems by which it allocates capacity among its
customers, including Webvan, could adversely impact the customer shopping
experience and consequently, our business. Our insurance policies may not
adequately compensate us for any losses that may occur due to any failures or
interruptions in our systems.

WE MAY BE ADVERSELY IMPACTED IF THE SOFTWARE, COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER
SYSTEMS WE USE ARE NOT YEAR 2000 COMPLIANT.

     Any failure of our material systems, our vendors' material systems or the
Internet to be year 2000 compliant would have material adverse consequences for
us. These consequences would include difficulties in operating our Webstore
effectively, taking product orders, making product deliveries or conducting
other fundamental parts of our business. We also depend on the year 2000
compliance of the computer systems and financial services used by consumers. We
are in the process of developing remediation and contingency plans as part of
our year 2000 initiative program, based on an inventory and risk assessment of
our critical assets and third party systems. We expect to complete this
assessment and the development of these plans by the end of October 1999. Exodus
Communications, which hosts our web servers, has informed us that their internal
systems are year 2000 compliant. However, Exodus has not assured us as to the
year 2000 compliance of the third party systems and software upon which they
depend. We have not yet determined the costs of developing and implementing
these plans, and these costs may be material. A significant disruption in the
ability of consumers to reliably access the Internet, especially our Webstore,
or to use their credit cards would have an adverse effect on our operations and
demand for our services.

WE MAY BE SUBJECT TO LIABILITY FOR THE INTERNET CONTENT THAT WE PUBLISH.

     As a publisher of online content, we face potential liability for
negligence, copyright, patent or trademark infringement, or other claims based
on the nature and content of materials that we publish or distribute. If we face
liability, particularly liability that is not covered by our insurance or is in
excess of our insurance coverage, then our reputation and our business may
suffer. In the past, plaintiffs have brought these types of claims and sometimes
successfully litigated them against online services. We cannot assure you that
we are adequately insured to cover claims of these types or to indemnify us for
all liability that may be imposed on us.

                                       15
<PAGE>   18

OUR OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS AND THEIR AFFILIATES WILL EXERCISE SIGNIFICANT
CONTROL OVER WEBVAN.

     As of June 30, 1999 and giving effect to the issuance of 21,670,605 shares
of Series D preferred stock in July and August 1999, our executive officers and
directors and their immediate family members and affiliated venture capital
funds beneficially owned, in the aggregate, approximately 60.2% of our
outstanding common stock, assuming conversion of all preferred stock into common
stock. As a result, these stockholders are able to exercise significant control
over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of
directors and approval of significant corporate transactions, which could delay
or prevent someone from acquiring or merging with us. See "Principal
Stockholders".

IT MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR A THIRD PARTY TO ACQUIRE US DUE TO ANTI-TAKEOVER
PROVISIONS.

     Our charter documents authorize 10,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred
stock, create a classified board of directors, require stockholders to comply
with advance notice requirements before raising a matter at a meeting of
stockholders and eliminate the ability of stockholders to cumulate votes in the
election of directors. As a Delaware corporation, we are also subject to the
Delaware antitakeover statute contained in Section 203 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law. These provisions could make it more difficult for a third party
to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our stockholders. See
"Description of Capital Stock".

OUR STOCK PRICE COULD BE VOLATILE AND COULD DECLINE FOLLOWING THIS OFFERING.

     The stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations,
and the market prices of technology companies, particularly consumer-oriented
Internet-related companies, have been highly volatile. You may not be able to
resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price. The price at
which our common stock will trade after this offering is likely to be volatile
and may fluctuate substantially due to factors such as:

     - our historical and anticipated quarterly and annual operating results;

     - variations between our actual results and the expectations of investors
       or published reports or analyses of Webvan;

     - announcements by us or others and developments affecting our business,
       systems or expansion plans; and

     - conditions and trends in e-commerce industries, particularly the online
       grocery industry.

     In the past, securities class action litigation has often been instituted
against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their
securities. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and a
diversion of management's attention and resources.

FUTURE SALES OF OUR COMMON STOCK MAY CAUSE OUR STOCK PRICE TO DECLINE.


     If our stockholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the
public market following this offering, the market price of our common stock
could decline. Based on shares outstanding as of September 30, 1999, upon
completion of this offering we will have outstanding 321,214,226 shares of
common stock, assuming no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option.
Of these shares, the 25,000,000 shares of our common stock sold in this offering
will be freely tradeable, without restriction, in the public market. Our
directors, officers and stockholders have entered into lock-up agreements in
connection with this offering generally providing that they will not offer,
sell, contract to sell or grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of
our common stock or any securities exercisable for or convertible into our
common stock without the prior written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co. According
to the lock-up agreements, at any time beginning on the third day following the
public release of our earnings for the year ended December 31, 1999, each
stockholder may offer, sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise dispose of up
to 15% of his or her shares owned as of December 31, 1999; and at any time
beginning on the 48th day following the public release of our earnings for the
year ended December 31, 1999, each stockholder may offer, sell, transfer,
assign,


                                       16
<PAGE>   19

pledge or otherwise dispose of an additional 25% of his or her shares owned as
of December 31, 1999. The lock-up restrictions will expire as to the remaining
shares on the date which is 180 days after the date of this prospectus. As a
result, a substantial number of shares of our common stock will be eligible for
sale in the public market prior to the expiration of the customary 180-day
lock-up period following an initial public offering.


     In addition, approximately 64.8 million shares under outstanding options
and warrants and approximately 17.6 million shares reserved for future issuance
under our stock option plans as of September 30, 1999 will be eligible for sale
in the public market subject to vesting, the expiration of lock-up agreements
and restrictions imposed under Rules 144 and 701 under the Securities Act. See
"Shares Eligible for Future Sale".


                                       17
<PAGE>   20

               SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


     This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. All
statements, other than statements of historical facts included in this
prospectus, regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position,
estimated revenues or losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives
of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus, the
words "will", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "expect", "project"
and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements,
although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. All
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus. You
should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although we
believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by
the forward-looking statements we make in this prospectus are reasonable, we can
give no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved.
We disclose important factors that could cause our actual results to differ
materially from our expectations under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this
prospectus. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements
attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.


                                       18
<PAGE>   21

                                USE OF PROCEEDS


     The net proceeds we receive from the sale of the common stock offered
hereby will be approximately $280.6 million, based on an assumed initial public
offering price of $12.00 per share and after deducting the underwriters'
discounts and commissions and expenses payable by us estimated at $1.4 million.
We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering principally to fund the
construction of and equipment for distribution centers in other geographic
markets at an estimated cost of $25.0 million to $35.0 million per distribution
center. Our contract with Bechtel Corporation contemplates the construction of
up to 26 additional distribution centers over the next three years. The cost of
constructing and equipping 26 additional distribution centers is currently
estimated at from $650 million to over $900 million. At June 30, 1999, our cash
and cash equivalents were approximately $577.3 million after including the
expected net proceeds from the shares sold in this offering. Thus, the
completion of 26 additional distribution centers would require us to generate
cash flow from operations or to sell additional debt or equity securities or
obtain a line of credit. If such funds are not available when needed or if the
cost of these distribution centers exceeds our current estimates, we could also
be forced to curtail our expansion plans. The number and timing of opening of
new distribution centers are subject to considerable uncertainty due to a number
of factors, including the following:



     - the availability of appropriate and affordable sites that can accommodate
       our distribution centers;



     - our ability to successfully and cost-effectively hire and train qualified
       employees to operate new distribution centers;



     - our ability to develop relationships with local and regional
       distributors, vendors and other product providers;



     - acceptance of our product and service offerings; and



     - competition.


     We also expect to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes,
including working capital and funding of our expected operating losses. We may
use a portion of the net proceeds to pursue possible acquisitions of
complementary businesses, technologies or products; however, we have no present
understandings, commitments or agreements with respect to any such transactions,
and we have not identified the nature of any such businesses, technologies or
products. Pending use of such net proceeds for the above purposes, we intend to
invest such funds in short-term interest-bearing investment-grade securities.

                                DIVIDEND POLICY

     We have not paid any dividends since our inception and do not intend to pay
any dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future.

                                       19
<PAGE>   22

                                 CAPITALIZATION

     The following table sets forth our cash and equivalents and capitalization
as of June 30, 1999:

     - on an actual basis;

     - on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the closing of the sale of an
       aggregate of 21,670,605 shares of our Series D-2 preferred stock in July
       and August 1999 for approximately $275.0 million and the conversion of
       each outstanding share of preferred stock into one share of common stock
       upon the closing of this offering; and

     - on a pro forma basis as adjusted for this offering at an assumed initial
       public offering price of $12.00 per share and application of the net
       proceeds therefrom. You should read this table in conjunction with our
       consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements
       appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         JUNE 30, 1999
                                                              ------------------------------------
                                                                                        PRO FORMA
                                                               ACTUAL     PRO FORMA    AS ADJUSTED
                                                              --------    ---------    -----------
                                                               (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>          <C>
Cash and equivalents........................................  $ 21,836    $296,736      $577,336
                                                              ========    ========      ========
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion...........     2,137       2,137         2,137
                                                              --------    --------      --------
Long term debt, net of current portion......................    11,811      11,811        11,811
                                                              --------    --------      --------
Redeemable common stock.....................................     1,556       1,556         1,556
Shareholders' equity:
  Convertible preferred stock:
     Series A preferred stock, no par value; 112,635,168
       shares authorized actual, no shares authorized pro
       forma and pro forma as adjusted; 112,635,168 shares
       issued and outstanding actual, no shares issued and
       outstanding pro forma and pro forma as adjusted......    10,759          --            --
     Series B preferred stock, no par value; 41,814,000
       shares authorized actual, 2,700,696 shares authorized
       pro forma, no shares authorized pro forma as
       adjusted; 39,113,304 shares issued and outstanding
       actual, no shares issued and outstanding pro forma
       and pro forma as adjusted(1).........................    34,834          --            --
     Series C preferred stock, no par value; 34,601,616
       shares authorized actual, 2,260,416 shares authorized
       pro forma, no shares authorized pro forma as
       adjusted; 32,341,200 shares issued and outstanding
       actual, no shares issued and outstanding pro forma
       and pro forma as adjusted(2).........................    72,776          --            --
     Series D preferred stock, no par value; no shares
       authorized actual, 29,550,831 shares authorized, pro
       forma, no shares authorized pro forma as adjusted; no
       shares issued and outstanding actual, pro forma and
       pro forma as adjusted(3).............................        --          --            --
  Preferred stock; no shares authorized actual and pro
     forma, 10,000,000 shares authorized pro forma as
     adjusted; no shares issued and outstanding actual, pro
     forma and pro forma as adjusted........................        --          --            --
  Common stock; 450,000,000 shares authorized actual and pro
     forma, 800,000,000 shares authorized pro forma as
     adjusted; 81,908,562 shares issued and outstanding
     actual, 287,668,839 shares issued and outstanding pro
     forma, 312,668,839 shares issued and outstanding pro
     forma as adjusted(4)...................................    31,251     424,520       705,120
  Additional paid-in capital................................     3,829       3,829         3,829
Deferred compensation.......................................   (23,790)    (23,790)      (23,790)
Accumulated deficit.........................................   (49,978)    (49,978)      (49,978)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)...............       (55)        (55)          (55)
                                                              --------    --------      --------
          Total shareholders' equity........................    79,626     354,526       635,126
                                                              --------    --------      --------
          Total capitalization..............................  $ 95,130    $370,030      $650,630
                                                              ========    ========      ========
</TABLE>

                                       20
<PAGE>   23

- -------------------------
(1) Excludes warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2,397,804 shares of Series B
    preferred stock at a weighted average exercise price of $0.91 per share.

(2) Excludes (a) options to purchase 430,416 shares of Series C preferred stock
    at an exercise price of $2.32 per share as of March 31, 1999, (b) a warrant
    to purchase up to 1,650,000 shares of our Series C preferred stock at an
    exercise price of $2.32 per share issued in June 1999 and (c) 150,000 shares
    of our Series C preferred stock issued upon exercise of warrants in
    September 1999.

(3) On July 19, 1999, we authorized 25,610,718 shares of Series D-1 preferred
    stock and 25,610,718 shares of Series D-2 preferred stock. In July and
    August 1999, we issued 21,670,605 shares of Series D-2 preferred stock. Each
    of these shares will automatically convert into one share of common stock
    immediately prior to the closing of this offering. No shares of Series D-1
    preferred stock are issued and outstanding, actual, pro forma and pro forma
    as adjusted.


(4) Excludes 102,500,000 shares of common stock authorized for issuance under
    our stock option plans, of which 60,697,426 shares at a weighted average
    exercise price of $2.98 per share were subject to outstanding options as of
    September 30, 1999.


                                       21
<PAGE>   24

                                    DILUTION

     Our pro forma net tangible book value as of June 30, 1999 was approximately
$354.4 million or $1.21 per share. Our pro forma net tangible book value per
share as of June 30, 1999 represents the amount of our total tangible assets
reduced by the amount of our total liabilities and divided by the total number
of shares of common stock outstanding including redeemable common stock and
after giving effect to the issuance of 21,670,605 shares of Series D preferred
stock in July and August 1999 and the automatic conversion of all outstanding
shares of our preferred stock. Dilution per share represents the difference
between the amount per share paid by investors of shares of common stock in this
offering and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of common stock
immediately after the completion of this offering. After giving effect to the
sale of the 25,000,000 shares of common stock offered by us at an assumed
initial public offering price of $12.00 per share, and after deducting the
underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro
forma as adjusted net tangible book value at June 30, 1999 would have been
approximately $635.0 million or $2.03 per share of common stock. This represents
an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.82 per share to existing
stockholders and an immediate dilution of $9.97 per share to new investors of
common stock. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share
basis:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
Assumed initial public offering price per share.............           $12.00
  Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of June 30,
     1999...................................................  $1.21
  Increase per share attributable to new investors..........   0.82
                                                              -----
Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share
  after the offering........................................             2.03
                                                                       ------
Dilution per share to new investors.........................           $ 9.97
                                                                       ======
</TABLE>

     The following table summarizes on a pro forma as adjusted basis after
giving effect to the offering, as of June 30, 1999, the differences between the
existing stockholders and new investors with respect to the number of shares of
common stock purchased from us, the total consideration paid to us and the
average price per share paid at an assumed initial public offering price of
$12.00 per share, and after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated
offering expenses payable by us:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     SHARES PURCHASED         TOTAL CONSIDERATION       AVERAGE
                                  ----------------------    -----------------------    PRICE PER
                                    NUMBER       PERCENT       AMOUNT       PERCENT      SHARE
                                  -----------    -------    ------------    -------    ---------
<S>                               <C>            <C>        <C>             <C>        <C>
Existing stockholders.........    292,453,839      92.1%    $429,464,000      58.9%     $ 1.47
New investors.................     25,000,000       7.9      300,000,000      41.1      $12.00
                                  -----------     -----     ------------     -----
Totals........................    317,453,839     100.0%    $729,464,000     100.0%
                                  ===========     =====     ============     =====
</TABLE>

     In the preceding tables, the shares of common stock outstanding exclude:


        - 102,500,000 shares of common stock authorized for issuance under our
          stock option plans, of which 60,697,426 shares at a weighted average
          exercise price of $2.98 were subject to outstanding options as of
          September 30, 1999; and



        - 4,059,804 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding
          warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $1.49 as of September
          30, 1999.


     To the extent outstanding options and warrants are exercised, there will be
further dilution to new investors.

                                       22
<PAGE>   25

                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

     You should read the following selected consolidated financial data in
conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes to those
statements and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The consolidated
statement of operations data for the period from inception through December 31,
1997 and for the year ended December 31, 1998, and the consolidated balance
sheet data as of December 31, 1997 and 1998 are derived from, and are qualified
by reference to, the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes to
those statements included in this prospectus that have been audited by Deloitte
& Touche LLP. The consolidated statement of operations data for the six months
ended June 30, 1998 and 1999, and the consolidated balance sheet data at June
30, 1999 are derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements that
include, in the opinion of our management, all adjustments, consisting of only
normal, recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the
information set forth therein. The consolidated results of operations for the
six months ended June 30, 1999 are not necessarily indicative of future results.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       PERIOD FROM
                                                      DECEMBER 17,
                                                          1996                                  SIX MONTHS
                                                     (INCEPTION) TO      YEAR ENDED           ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                      DECEMBER 31,      DECEMBER 31,    ---------------------------
                                                          1997              1998           1998            1999
            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF               ---------------    ------------    -----------    ------------
                 OPERATIONS DATA:                           (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                  <C>                <C>             <C>            <C>
Net sales..........................................    $        --      $         --    $        --    $        395
Cost of goods sold.................................             --                --             --             419
                                                       -----------      ------------    -----------    ------------
  Gross profit (loss)..............................             --                --             --             (24)
Operating expenses:
  Software development.............................            244             3,010            765           6,308
  General and administrative.......................          2,612             8,825          2,739          25,296
  Amortization of deferred stock compensation......             --             1,060             43           3,953
                                                       -----------      ------------    -----------    ------------
    Total operating expenses.......................          2,856            12,895          3,547          35,557
                                                       -----------      ------------    -----------    ------------
Interest income....................................             85               923            285           1,641
Interest expense...................................             69                32             --           1,194
                                                       -----------      ------------    -----------    ------------
  Net interest income..............................             16               891            285             447
                                                       -----------      ------------    -----------    ------------
Net loss...........................................    $    (2,840)     $    (12,004)   $    (3,262)   $    (35,134)
                                                       ===========      ============    ===========    ============
Basic and diluted net loss per share...............    $     (0.08)     $      (0.18)   $     (0.05)   $      (0.48)
                                                       ===========      ============    ===========    ============
Shares used in calculating basic and diluted net
  loss per share...................................     37,406,785        67,114,048     65,075,326      73,280,388
                                                       ===========      ============    ===========    ============
Pro forma basic and diluted net loss per
  share(1).........................................                     $      (0.06)                  $      (0.14)
                                                                        ============                   ============
Shares used in calculating pro forma basic and
  diluted net loss per share(1)....................                      201,978,419                    253,743,194
                                                                        ============                   ============

OTHER OPERATING DATA:
Capital expenditures...............................    $       265      $     32,669    $     4,283    $     25,948
Depreciation and amortization......................             57             1,323             93           6,626
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
(1) See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

     The following table provides a consolidated summary of our balance sheet.
The Pro Forma column reflects the closing of the sale of 21,670,605 shares of
our Series D-2 preferred stock in July and August 1999 for approximately $275.0
million and the conversion of all outstanding shares of preferred stock into
common stock immediately prior to the closing of this offering. The Pro Forma As
Adjusted column reflects the Pro Forma adjustments as well as the issuance of
the common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of
$12.00 per share.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,                JUNE 30, 1999
                                                             ----------------   ------------------------------------
                                                                                                          PRO FORMA
                                                              1997     1998      ACTUAL     PRO FORMA    AS ADJUSTED
                                                             ------   -------   --------    ---------    -----------
<S>                                                          <C>      <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and equivalents.......................................  $2,935   $13,839   $ 21,836    $296,736      $577,336
Working capital............................................   7,693    10,923     31,773     306,673       587,273
Total assets...............................................   8,279    60,009    112,429     387,329       667,929
Long-term liabilities......................................      17    14,337     14,216      14,216        14,216
Total shareholder's equity.................................   7,972    33,612     79,626     354,526       635,126
</TABLE>

                                       23
<PAGE>   26

               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     Except for historical information, the discussion in this prospectus
contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
Webvan's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this
prospectus. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include,
but are not limited to, the risks discussed in the section entitled "Risk
Factors" in this prospectus.

OVERVIEW

     Webvan is an Internet retailer offering same-day delivery of consumer
products through an innovative proprietary business design which integrates our
Webstore, distribution center and delivery system. Our current product offerings
are principally focused on food, non-prescription drug products and general
merchandise.

     We were incorporated in December 1996 as Intelligent Systems for Retail,
Inc. In April 1999, we changed our name to Webvan Group, Inc. We commenced our
grocery delivery service in May 1999 on a test basis to approximately 1,100
persons and commercially launched our Webstore on June 2, 1999. For the period
from inception to June 1999, our primary activities consisted of raising
capital, recruiting and training employees, developing our business strategy,
designing a business system to implement our strategy, constructing and
equipping our first distribution center and developing relationships with
vendors. Since launching our service, we have continued these operating
activities and have also focused on building sales momentum, establishing
additional vendor relationships, promoting our brand name and enhancing our
distribution, delivery and customer service operations. Our cost of sales and
operating expenses have increased significantly since inception and are expected
to continue to increase. This trend reflects the costs associated with our
formation as well as increased efforts to promote the Webvan brand, build market
awareness, attract new customers, recruit personnel, build our operating systems
and develop our Webstore and associated systems that we use to process
customers' orders and payments.

     Our prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and
difficulties frequently encountered by companies in their early stage of
development, particularly companies in new and rapidly evolving markets. These
risks for Webvan include an unproven business system and our ability to
successfully manage our growth. To address these risks, we must:

     - develop and increase our customer base;

     - implement and successfully execute our business and marketing strategy;

     - continue to develop, test, increase the capacity of and enhance our
       Webstore, order fulfillment, transaction processing and delivery systems;

     - respond to competitive developments; and

     - attract, retain and motivate quality personnel.


     Since our inception, we have incurred significant losses, and as of June
30, 1999, we had an accumulated deficit of $50.0 million. Our initial
distribution center in Oakland, California is currently operating at
substantially less than the capacity for which it was designed. Since the
commercial launch of our Webstore on June 2, 1999, we have delivered orders to
over 21,000 separate customers which generated approximately $4.3 million in net
sales through September 30, 1999. During that period, over 62% of our orders
were from customers who had previously used our service and our average order
size exceeded $70.00. From August 31, 1999 through September 17, 1999, our
average order size was approximately $80.00. We expect our average order size
and number of orders processed to fluctuate from time to time and there can be
no assurance that it will not decline significantly in future periods. Based on
an average order size of $80.00 and an average of 1,200 orders per day, our
distribution center would generate annual revenues of approximately $35 million
if it operated seven days per week. Our distribution center currently operates
five days per week. During June and July 1999, our repeat customers ordered on
average every 6 days, and from our


                                       24
<PAGE>   27


commercial launch through September 30, 1999, our repeat customers ordered on
average every 10 days. As a result of the potential advantages of our business
model compared to traditional supermarkets, we estimate that if our distribution
center is able to operate at its designed capacity of 8,000 orders per day and
at an average order size of $103.00 per order, we can achieve an operating
margin of 12% compared to a 4% operating margin for a traditional supermarket
based on our analysis of publicly available data. However, we cannot assure you
that we will be able to achieve 8,000 orders per day at an average order size of
$103.00 and any failure to do so will result in lower operating margins.



     In particular, we believe that our success will depend on our ability to:



     - substantially increase the number of customers and the customers;


     - ensure that our technologies and systems function properly at increased
       order volumes;

     - realize repeat orders from a significant number of customers;


     - achieve favorable gross and operating margins; and


     - rapidly expand and build out distribution centers in new markets.

     To meet these challenges, we intend to continue to invest heavily in
marketing and promotion, distribution facilities and equipment, technology and
personnel. As a result, we expect to incur substantial operating losses for the
foreseeable future and the rate at which such losses will be incurred may
increase significantly from current levels. In addition, our limited operating
history makes the prediction of future results of operations difficult, and
accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or sustain revenue growth
or profitability.


     In connection with the grant of stock options during 1998 and the first six
months of 1999, we recorded deferred compensation of $11.8 million and $17.0
million and compensation expense of $1.1 million and $4.0 million, respectively,
representing the difference between the deemed fair value and the option
exercise price as determined by our Board of Directors on the date of grant. In
connection with the grant of options in the third quarter of 1999, we recorded
additional deferred compensation of $46.6 million. Additionally, in connection
with the terms of employment entered into with George T. Shaheen, in September
1999 we will record immediate compensation for stock and options grants of
approximately $27.0 million and deferred compensation of approximately $48.0
million. The aggregate deferred compensation of $123.7 million is being
amortized over the four-year vesting period of the underlying options and will
result in compensation expense of approximately $9.7 million in the quarter
ended September 30, 1999.


     In connection with the issuance of an option to purchase 150,000 shares of
common stock to Yahoo! Inc. in July 1999 at a price of $3.33 per share, we will
record expense based on changes in the fair value of the stock using an option
pricing model and such expense will be charged as Mr. Koogle serves as a
director of Webvan.


     In connection with the warrant issued to Bechtel to purchase 1,800,000
shares of Series C preferred stock at an exercise price of $2.32 per share, the
cost of services provided by Bechtel will include recognition of the changes in
the fair value of the warrant using an option pricing model and following the
applicable accounting guidelines in Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 96-18,
or EITF 96-18, "Accounting for Equity Instruments That are Issued to Other Than
Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services".
Under EITF 96-18, the measurement date for the warrant is July 8, 1999 as that
is the performance commitment date. As of July 8, 1999, we will capitalize the
fair value of the warrant related to 150,000 exercisable shares as deferred
stock-based compensation and will amortize such amount over a five-year period
corresponding to the exclusivity clause of the agreement with Bechtel. No amount
will be capitalized as of that date for the fair value of the warrant related to
the non-exercisable shares, as eventual exercisability is dependent on Bechtel's
performance. Any amounts capitalized based on Bechtel's future performance will
be


                                       25
<PAGE>   28

amortized over the useful life of the distribution centers developed by Bechtel.
If and when the warrant becomes exercisable as to additional shares, based on
Bechtel's performance, we will capitalize additional cost based on the then fair
value of the warrant related to the additional exercisable shares.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1998

NET SALES

     Net sales are comprised of the price of groceries and other products we
sell, net of returns and credits. We commenced our grocery delivery service in
May 1999 and commercially launched our Webstore in June 1999. We therefore did
not generate any net sales in 1997 or 1998. We recognize revenue at the time our
products are delivered to customers.

COST OF GOODS SOLD

     Cost of goods sold includes the cost of the groceries and other products we
sell as well as payroll and related expenses for the preparation of our home
replacement meals. We did not have any cost of goods sold in 1997 or 1998.

OPERATING EXPENSES

     SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT. Software development expenses include the payroll and
related costs for the team of software developers directly involved in
programming our computer systems. Software development expenses increased to
$3.0 million in 1998 from $0.2 million for the period from inception through
1997. This increase was primarily attributable to increased staffing,
consultants and associated costs related to creating and enhancing the features
and functionality of our Webstore, and implementing our order fulfillment,
inventory, distribution, accounting and delivery systems used to process
customer orders. Costs have been capitalized in accordance with Statement of
Position 98-1 "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or
Obtained for Internal Use" where appropriate. We believe that continued
investment in software development is critical to attaining our strategic
objectives and, as a result, expect software development expenses to increase
significantly in future quarters.

     GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE. General and administrative expenses include
costs related to fulfillment and delivery of products, real estate, technology
operations, equipment leases, merchandising, finance, marketing, and
professional services. General and administrative expenses increased to $8.8
million in 1998 from $2.6 million for the period from inception through 1997.
The payroll expense for general and administrative functions increased by $3.2
million due to an increase in headcount. Consulting and professional expenses
increased by $0.8 million, primarily related to marketing. In addition, rent and
facility charges increased by $1.1 million due to the addition of corporate
office space and the distribution center in Oakland, California. We expect
general and administrative expenses to increase as we expand our staff and incur
additional costs to support the expected growth of our business.

INTEREST INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

     Interest income (expense), net consists of earnings on our cash and cash
equivalents and interest payments on our loan and lease agreements. Net interest
income increased to $891,000 in 1998 from $16,000 in the period from inception
through 1997. This increase was primarily attributable to earnings on higher
average cash and cash equivalent balances during 1998.

                                       26
<PAGE>   29

SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND 1999

NET SALES

     We commenced our grocery delivery service in May 1999 on a test basis to
approximately 1,100 customers and commercially launched our Webstore in June
1999. We did not have any net sales in the six months ended June 30, 1998. We
had net sales of $395,000 in the six months ended June 30, 1999.

COST OF GOODS SOLD

     We did not have any cost of goods sold in the six months ended June 30,
1998. Our cost of goods sold was $419,000 in the six months ended June 30, 1999.

OPERATING EXPENSES

     SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT. Software development expenses increased to $6.3
million in the six months ended June 30, 1999 from $0.8 million in the six
months ended June 30, 1998. This increase was primarily attributable to $1.9
million for increased staffing and $3.4 million for consultants related to
enhancing the features, content and functionality of our Webstore and increasing
the capacity of our order processing, distribution center and delivery systems.

     GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE. General and administrative expenses increased
to $25.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999 from $2.7 million for
the six months ended June 30, 1998. General and administrative expenses
pertaining to our distribution center in the six months ended June 30, 1999
totalled $9.9 million, as compared to zero in the six months ended June 30,
1998. Payroll and related expenses increased by $8.2 million due to increased
staffing at headquarters. Consulting and professional fees related to logistical
and marketing development increased by $1.3 million. Rent and facility charges
increased by $0.8 million due to additional corporate office space.

INTEREST INCOME (EXPENSE) NET

     Net interest income increased to $447,000 in the six months ended June 30,
1999 from $285,000 in the six months ended June 30, 1998 primarily due to
earnings on higher average cash and cash equivalent balances.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     Since inception, we have financed our operations primarily through private
sales of preferred stock which through June 30, 1999 totaled $118.3 million (net
of issuance costs). Net cash used in operating activities was $22.6 million in
the six months ended June 30, 1999, $2.2 million in the year ended December 31,
1998, and $2.4 million in the period from inception through 1997. Net cash used
in operating activities for each of these periods primarily consisted of net
losses as well as increases in prepaid expenses, partially offset by increases
in accounts payable, accrued liabilities and depreciation and amortization. The
significant increase in working capital during 1998 was primarily due to
proceeds from the sale of our preferred stock. Net cash used in investing
activities was $42.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 1999, $39.0
million in the year ended December 31, 1998, and $5.3 million in the period from
inception through December 31, 1997. Net cash used in investing activities for
each of these periods primarily consisted of leasehold improvements and
purchases of equipment and systems, including computer equipment and fixtures
and furniture. Net cash provided by financing activities was $73.3 million in
the six months ended June 30, 1999, $52.1 million in the year ended December 31,
1998, and $10.7 million in the period from inception through 1997. Net cash
provided by financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 1999 and
the year ended December 31, 1998 primarily consisted of proceeds from the
issuance of preferred stock of $72.8 million and $34.8 million, respectively. As
of June 30, 1999, we had $21.8 million of cash and equivalents.

                                       27
<PAGE>   30

     In July 1999, we entered into a preferred stock purchase agreement whereby
we sold an aggregate of 21,670,605 shares of our Series D-2 preferred stock to
investors at a price of $12.69 per share for an aggregate purchase price of
approximately $275.0 million.

     As of June 30, 1999, our principal commitments consisted of obligations of
approximately $18.2 million outstanding under capital leases and loans. As of
June 30, 1999, we had capital commitments of approximately $20.0 million
principally related to the construction of and equipment for our Atlanta,
Georgia distribution center. We anticipate capital expenditures of up to $150
million for the 12 months ending June 30, 2000. We anticipate a substantial
increase in our capital expenditures and lease commitments to support our
anticipated growth in operations, systems and personnel. The launch of each
distribution center will require us to commit to additional lease obligations
and to purchase equipment and install leasehold improvements.

     In July 1999, we entered into an agreement with Bechtel for the
construction of up to 26 additional distribution centers over the next three
years. Although the Company has no specific capital commitment under this
agreement, our expenditures under the contract are estimated to be approximately
$1.0 billion.


     We currently anticipate that the net proceeds of this offering, together
with our available funds, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated needs for
working capital and capital expenditures through the next 12 to 24 months. We
believe that without the proceeds from this offering, we could continue to fund
our operations for the next 12 months, although our expansion plans would have
to be slowed down or scaled back. Our future long-term capital needs will be
highly dependent on the number of additional distribution centers we open, the
timing of these openings and the success of these facilities once they are
launched. Thus, any projections of future long-term cash needs and cash flows
are subject to substantial uncertainty. If the net proceeds of this offering,
together with our available funds and cash generated from operations are
insufficient to satisfy our long-term liquidity requirements, we may seek to
sell additional equity or debt securities, obtain a line of credit or curtail
our expansion plans. However, the terms of our guaranty of our subsidiary's
credit facility contain restrictions on our ability to incur debt or issue
equity securities. In addition, if we issue additional securities to raise
funds, those securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to
those of the rights of our common stock and our stockholders may experience
additional dilution. We cannot be certain that additional financing will be
available to us on favorable terms when required, or at all.


YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE

     Many existing computer programs use only two digits to identify a year.
These programs were designed and developed without addressing the impact of the
upcoming change in the century. If not corrected, many computer software
applications could fail or create erroneous results by, at or beyond the year
2000. We use software, computer technology and other services internally
developed and provided by third-party vendors that may fail due to the year 2000
phenomenon. For example, we are dependent on the financial institutions involved
in processing our customers' credit card payments for Internet services and a
third party that hosts our servers. We are also dependent on telecommunications
vendors to maintain our communications network and suppliers to deliver products
to us.

     Since inception, we have internally developed substantially all of the
systems for the operation of our web site. These systems include the software
used to provide our Webstore's search, customer interaction, and
transaction-processing and distribution functions, as well as monitoring and
back-up capabilities. Based upon our assessment to date, we believe that our
internally developed proprietary software is year 2000 compliant, but we cannot
assure you that unanticipated year 2000 problems will not occur.

     We are currently assessing the year 2000 readiness of our third-party
supplied software, computer technology and other services, which include
software for use in our accounting, database and security systems. The failure
of any software or systems upon which we rely to be year 2000 compliant could
have a material negative impact on our corporate accounting functions and the

                                       28
<PAGE>   31

operation of our web site and distribution system. As part of the assessment of
the year 2000 compliance of these systems, we have sought assurances from these
vendors that their software, computer technology and other services are year
2000 compliant. Because this process was begun recently, we have not yet
received a material number of responses from these vendors. We intend to follow
up with any vendors who have not responded to our request in a timely manner. We
have also engaged consulting firms to assess the year 2000 compliance of two of
our critical systems at a cost estimated at $1.1 million, of which approximately
$300,000 was incurred as of September 23, 1999. Based upon the results of all of
our assessments, we are developing a remediation plan with respect to
third-party software, third-party vendors and computer technology and services
that may fail to be year 2000 compliant. We expect to complete any required
remediation for issues currently identified by the end of October 1999. Based
upon our experience to date, we estimate that the total costs associated with
our Year 2000 compliance efforts will be up to approximately $3.0 million.

     The failure of our software and computer systems and of our third-party
suppliers to be year 2000 compliant would have a material adverse effect on us.
The year 2000 readiness of the general system necessary to support our
operations is difficult to assess. For instance, we depend on the integrity and
stability of the Internet to provide our services. We also depend on the year
2000 compliance of the computer systems and financial services used by
consumers. Thus, the system necessary to support our operations consists of a
network of computers and telecommunications systems located throughout the world
and operated by numerous unrelated entities and individuals, none of which has
the ability to control or manage the potential year 2000 issues that may impact
the entire system. Our ability to assess the reliability of this system is
limited and relies solely on generally available news reports, surveys and
comparable industry data. Based on these sources, we believe most entities and
individuals that rely significantly on the Internet are reviewing and attempting
to remediate issues relating to year 2000 compliance, but it is not possible to
predict whether these efforts will be successful in reducing or eliminating the
potential negative impact of year 2000 issues.


     A significant disruption in the ability of consumers to reliably access the
Internet or portions of it or to use their credit cards would have an adverse
effect on demand for our services and would have a material adverse effect on
us. We will be developing a contingency plan based on the results of our year
2000 assessment and remediation efforts. We estimate that the cost of developing
and implementing this plan could be up to an additional $500,000. A reasonable
worst case year 2000 scenario would involve a major failure of our material
systems, our vendors' material systems or the Internet to be year 2000
compliant, any of which could have material adverse consequences for us. These
consequences could include refrigeration failures resulting in spoilage of
perishable products and difficulties or interruptions in operating our web site
effectively, taking customer orders, processing orders in our distribution
center, making deliveries or conducting other fundamental parts of our business.


NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

     In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities" which defines derivatives, requires that all
derivatives be carried at fair value, and describes the applicability of and
methods for hedge accounting. Webvan will adopt this statement for its fiscal
year ending December 31, 2001. Management has not fully assessed the
implications of adopting this new standard.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     Webvan maintains a short-term investment portfolio primarily consisting of
corporate debt securities with maturities of thirteen months or less. These
available-for-sale securities are subject to interest rate risk and will rise
and fall in value if market interest rates change. The extent of this risk is
not quantifiable or predictable due to the variability of future interest rates.
Webvan does not expect any material loss with respect to its investment
portfolio.

                                       29
<PAGE>   32

     Webvan's restricted cash balance is invested in certificates of deposit.
Accordingly, changes in market interest rates have no material effect on
Webvan's operating results, financial condition and cash flows. There is
inherent roll over risk on these certificates of deposit as they mature and are
renewed at current market rates. The extent of this risk is not quantifiable or
predictable due to the variability of future interest rates.

     The following table provides information about Webvan's investment
portfolio, restricted cash, capital lease obligations and long-term debt as of
June 30, 1999, and presents principal cash flows and related weighted averages
interest rates by expected maturity dates.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     YEAR OF MATURITY
                                 ---------------------------------------------------------     TOTAL
                                                                                    AFTER     CARRYING
                                  1999       2000      2001      2002      2003      2003      VALUE
                                 -------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    --------
                                                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                              <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Cash and Equivalents...........  $21,836        --        --        --        --        --    $21,836
  Average interest rate........     4.95%       --        --        --        --        --       4.95%
Corporate Debt Securities......  $14,289    $7,942        --        --        --        --    $22,231
  Average interest rate........     4.81%     5.29%       --        --        --        --       4.98%
Restricted Cash -- Certificates
  of Deposit...................  $ 3,453        --        --        --        --        --    $ 3,453
  Average interest rate........     4.52%       --        --        --        --        --       4.52%
Capital Lease Obligations......  $   299    $  669    $  773    $  734    $  283        --    $ 2,758
  Average fixed interest
    rate.......................    15.75%    15.77%    15.81%    15.28%    13.81%       --      15.45%
Long-term Debt.................  $ 1,476    $3,931    $4,570    $5,140    $   55    $    6    $15,178
  Average fixed interest
    rate.......................    15.20%    15.20%    15.20%    15.20%    15.20%    15.20%     15.20%
</TABLE>

     Fair value approximates carrying value for the above financial instruments.

                                       30
<PAGE>   33

                                    BUSINESS

     Webvan is an Internet retailer offering same-day delivery of consumer
products through an innovative proprietary business design that integrates our
Webstore, distribution center and delivery system. Our current product offerings
are principally focused on food, non-prescription drug products and general
merchandise.

INDUSTRY BACKGROUND

GROWTH OF THE INTERNET AND E-COMMERCE

     The rapid growth of the Internet and e-commerce is revolutionizing the way
in which businesses and consumers communicate, share information and conduct
business. International Data Corporation estimates that there were 63 million
web users in the United States at the end of 1998 and anticipates this number
will grow to approximately 177 million users by the end of 2003. This growth in
Internet usage is being fueled by a number of factors, including:

     - a large and growing installed base of personal computers in the workplace
       and at home;

     - advances in the performance and speed of personal computers and modems;

     - improvements in network security, system and bandwidth;

     - faster, easier and cheaper access to the Internet;

     - proliferation of content and services being provided on the Internet; and

     - consumers' growing level of comfort and experience with e-commerce.

     The unique characteristics of the Internet create a number of advantages
for online retailers and have dramatically affected the manner in which
companies distribute goods and services. Specifically, online retailers use the
Internet to:

     - provide consumers with a broad selection of products and services,
       increased information and enhanced convenience;

     - operate with reduced overhead costs and greater economies of scale;

     - frequently adjust featured selections, editorial content and pricing,
       providing significant merchandising flexibility;

     - "display" a larger number of products than traditional retailers at lower
       cost; and

     - obtain demographic and behavioral data about customers, increasing
       opportunities for direct marketing and personalized services.

     The Internet provides a powerful and convenient means for consumers to
order products and services. As a result of the increased use of the Internet
and the benefits of online retailing, consumer spending on the Internet is
growing rapidly. International Data Corporation estimates that consumer
purchases of goods and services over the Internet in the U.S. will increase from
$12.4 billion in 1998 to $75.0 billion in 2003. In addition, Forrester Research
estimates that online grocery spending in the U.S. will grow from $235 million
in 1998 to $10.8 billion by 2003 which will represent only 2% of the total
market for grocery products in 2003.

TRADITIONAL GROCERY RETAILING


     The U.S. grocery market is large, with retail supermarket sales equal to
approximately $449 billion in 1998, according to Progressive Grocer. In
addition, the market for prepared meals or "home meal replacements" is growing
rapidly and, according to ACNielsen, comprises an incremental $100 billion
segment of the food industry. According to the National Association of Chain
Drugstores, traditional drugstore sales, including prescription drugs, were
approximately $106 billion in 1998. Based on this


                                       31
<PAGE>   34


industry data, the combined market for groceries, drugstore merchandise and
prepared meals was over $650 billion in 1998.


     Many consumers find supermarket shopping to be a time-consuming and
inconvenient experience. Traditional store-based supermarkets face many
challenges in providing a satisfying shopping experience for consumers. Physical
space availability in stores limits the number of products supermarkets can
offer and reduces merchandising flexibility. This forces traditional store-based
supermarkets to limit their product selection to the most popular products,
further impairing customer selection. Traditional grocery retailers also face
significant costs associated with building and operating large brick and mortar
stores, including costs associated with personnel, real estate, construction,
store set-up, inventory and fixed assets. The challenges facing these
traditional retailers have created an opportunity for online grocery retailers
to provide a more compelling and cost-effective solution.

     The Internet provides a medium that could significantly improve the
consumer grocery shopping experience. The Internet provides 24-hour shopping
convenience and the ability to monitor order and information accuracy, and
eliminates the need to wait in line. With an efficient business model, online
retailers will also be able to reduce labor, real estate and other operating
costs.

ONLINE GROCERY RETAILING

     Consumers are increasingly seeking a grocery shopping solution which will
allow them to save time and effort without sacrificing the wide selection, high
quality and low cost they have come to expect from traditional supermarkets.
Attempting to capitalize on the benefits of the Internet, several companies,
including NetGrocer and Peapod, have begun offering a variety of grocery
products online. Many of these services charge membership, delivery or service
fees and often offer many of their goods at prices higher than those of
traditional supermarkets. In addition, many of these online grocery efforts only
offer a limited selection of products, do not offer frozen foods or perishables
and do not stock a wide range of high-end items such as wine, prepared meals and
specialty products. These online grocers generally do not offer same-day
delivery and guarantee delivery within narrow time parameters. Many of these
early online grocers currently lack a highly automated distribution and delivery
model which would enable rapid and efficient expansion on a national level. As a
result, these companies rely on manual systems to fill the orders they receive
over the Internet and often rely on third parties to deliver orders to their
customers.

THE WEBVAN SOLUTION

     Our online shopping experience offers customers a broad selection of
high-quality, competitively priced grocery and related product offerings
delivered directly and conveniently to their homes. Our Webstore is designed to
create a user-friendly, informative and personalized shopping experience for
customers while providing them with the time savings and convenience of shopping
online. We believe that our innovative business design addresses the challenge
of e-commerce fulfillment by integrating a retail web site with an advanced
distribution center and delivery system which enable us to efficiently fill a
high volume of orders and deliver products to our customers on the same day. Our
delivery channel also enables us to create brand awareness and customer loyalty
that we believe will help to strengthen our market position.

     Our solution provides customers with the following key benefits:

     - prices that are generally at or below everyday supermarket prices;

     - a broad selection of high quality products;

     - no membership or service fees and no delivery fees for orders over $50;
       and

     - same-day home delivery within a customer-selected 30-minute window.

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<PAGE>   35

     The principal components of our solution include our:


     BROAD SELECTION OF HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS AT COMPETITIVE PRICES. Our
scalable Webstore and distribution system are designed to enable us to offer
over 50,000 different items to our customers. As of September 30, 1999, we were
offering consumers a broad selection of approximately 18,000 grocery and
specialty items including:


     - farm fresh produce;

     - premium meats hand cut in our butcher shop;

     - fresh fish and other seafood including live lobsters;

     - a variety of chef-prepared meals;

     - bakery items including specialty breads, bagels and pastries;

     - non-perishable grocery items typically found in large supermarkets;

     - non-prescription drug products and health and beauty items;

     - specialty items including fine wines and premium quality cigars; and

     - general merchandise such as office products and small appliances.


     From July 10, 1999 through September 18, 1999, produce represented
approximately 17% of our revenue. According to Progressive Grocer, in 1998,
produce represented approximately 10% of revenue of traditional grocers. Since
we only commenced operations on June 2, 1999, the percentage of our revenue from
produce is derived from very limited data and is expected to fluctuate from
period to period. As a result, we cannot assure you that the percentage of our
revenue from produce will remain at approximately 17% in the future.



     INTERACTIVE AND PERSONALIZED WEBSTORE. Our Webstore is an easy-to-use
online alternative to the traditional supermarket providing customers with
significant time savings and convenience. The Webstore is organized to provide
information about the products we sell as well as interesting generalized
content. We believe our Webstore promotes customer loyalty by making the grocery
shopping experience easier for the consumer. Through our Webstore, consumers can
personalize their shopping experience by creating their own shopping lists and
by spending as much or as little time browsing and selecting products as is
appropriate for their specific needs. Customers may shop for products by:


     - browsing clearly organized categories such as Produce, Meat and Seafood,
       Prepared Food or Health and Beauty;

     - going directly to a specific product by using our keyword search
       technology; or

     - accessing one of their personal shopping lists for immediate purchase or
       editing.

     Our Webstore utilizes a proprietary logistics technology to offer a
delivery window to the customer. A point-and-click time schedule will indicate
to the customer the 30-minute delivery slots which are currently available in
their specific location, based on the time of day, location and items purchased.

     HIGHLY AUTOMATED DISTRIBUTION CENTER. Our technologically advanced
distribution center is highly automated and is designed to provide economies of
scale and create significant cost savings compared to traditional supermarkets
and existing online grocers. Our distribution center is designed to process
product volumes equivalent to approximately 18 supermarkets and allow for a
highly flexible inventory selection of over 50,000 SKUs. The distribution center
is designed to fill customer orders using proprietary software and labor-saving
automation technology such as carousels and conveyors which bring individual
products directly to the worker, compared to traditional warehouse designs which
require the worker to move throughout rows of products to fill individual
orders. Our

                                       33
<PAGE>   36

first distribution center is located in Oakland, California and serves the San
Francisco Bay Area. We plan to open a second distribution center in Atlanta,
Georgia in the second quarter of 2000 and to further expand with distribution
centers in other key geographic markets.

     Our distribution center is designed to accommodate both a wide product
selection as well the finest in product quality. The design allows for
appropriate storage temperatures for individual product categories including
produce, meats and frozen foods and enables us to offer specialty products such
as premium wines and cigars. In addition to product storage, our distribution
center is designed with food preparation facilities which allow us to offer
chef-prepared meals, individually cut meats and fish and made-to-order fruit
baskets.

     We have designed our initial distribution center in Oakland, California to
be a prototype that we can readily replicate in other locations. In July 1999,
we entered into an agreement with Bechtel Corporation for the construction of up
to 26 additional distribution centers for us over the next three years.


     EFFICIENT DELIVERY PROCESS. To facilitate rapid and predictable product
delivery to the customer's home, we utilize a hub-and-spoke fulfillment model
that is designed to minimize product and order handling. Customer orders are
packaged in individual plastic containers or "totes" at the distribution center,
or hub, and are transferred by temperature-controlled trucks to local stations,
or spokes. At the local stations, the totes are transferred to smaller
temperature-controlled vans for delivery to the home. Each distribution center
will supply shipments to up to 10 - 12 stations, varying by market, which will
be strategically positioned throughout a particular delivery region within an
approximate 50 mile radius of each distribution center. Our hub-and-spoke model,
centralized order fulfillment and decentralized delivery, combined with our
proprietary route and load planning technology allows for a highly efficient,
low cost fulfillment solution. As a result of our automated distribution center
and efficient delivery process, our produce and other grocery products are
handled an average of eight times compared to an average of 14 times for a
traditional supermarket that utilizes typical distribution channels. We believe
that reduced handling enables us to deliver better quality produce to the
consumer than traditional grocery retailers.


     SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. Our home delivery model also provides us with an
important opportunity to interact with our customers. Because of the high
frequency of grocery purchases, our couriers will be able to help continually
reinforce our brand with the customer. Our couriers are valued employees and are
incentivized with competitive salaries and stock options. Our couriers have also
been trained to answer questions about the service and handle routine service
issues directly and promptly at the customer residence. Each courier
communicates with the route planning and delivery scheduling systems throughout
the delivery process through the use of a wireless mobile field device. If the
customer is not satisfied with the products received, the courier is able to
initiate a transaction to replace items or credit the customer's bill. We
believe this approach helps develop couriers who are highly focused on customer
service and on creating long-term consumer relationships.

STRATEGY

     Our objective is to be the leading online retailer offering same-day
delivery of consumer products. Our current product offerings are principally
focused on food, non-prescription drug products and general merchandise. The key
elements of our strategy are as follows:

     BUILD BRAND AWARENESS AND MARKET SHARE. We intend to establish Webvan as
the leading brand for buying groceries and consumer goods over the Internet for
home delivery. Through our public relations programs, advertising campaigns,
promotional activities and media relationships, we plan to generate brand
awareness and drive customer trials of our services. Our efforts will focus on
building credibility with customers and achieving market acceptance for our
services. We will pursue online and traditional media marketing strategies on a
regional basis to achieve these results.

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<PAGE>   37

     DELIVER SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND OPERATING PERFORMANCE. We intend to
offer our customers a compelling shopping experience by delivering orders on an
accurate, timely and reliable basis. We will strive to continuously improve our
delivery and service performance to enhance the customer experience. We are
focused on building strong, lasting customer relationships which will drive
repeat purchases and higher average order sizes. By interacting directly with
customers on a regular basis and providing high quality service, we believe we
will promote customer loyalty and establish Webvan as the leading online
retailer and distribution company providing same-day delivery direct to the
customer.

     LEVERAGE EFFICIENT BUSINESS DESIGN. We have designed a proprietary business
system which integrates our interactive Webstore, distribution center and
delivery system. This design addresses the challenge of Internet commerce
fulfillment by providing a highly efficient means of delivering goods directly
to the homes of consumers on the same day that an online order is placed. Our
software, automated distribution center and hub and spoke delivery system were
designed to accommodate a high volume of orders and to enable us to offer over
50,000 different items to our customers. We believe that our highly automated
order fulfillment systems provide us with an advantage compared to our online
competitors which generally rely on manual order fulfillment systems.


     REPLICATE DISTRIBUTION CENTER AND DELIVERY SYSTEM IN ADDITIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
MARKETS. We believe that our compelling product and service offerings combined
with the broad scope of the Internet present opportunities to expand to
additional locations in major cities in the U.S. Our distribution center and
delivery system are designed to be readily replicated and we plan to pursue an
aggressive expansion strategy by opening additional distribution centers in key
geographic markets beginning in the second quarter of 2000. In July 1999, we
entered into an agreement with Bechtel Corporation for the construction of up to
26 additional distribution centers over the next three years. We believe that
our alliance with Bechtel will enable us to more aggressively roll out
distribution centers in other markets by utilizing Bechtel's engineering,
design, procurement and construction expertise. After we have begun operating in
additional markets, we may eventually construct additional distribution centers
in some of our existing markets if there is sufficient demand for our service.


     LEVERAGE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM TO ENTER ADDITIONAL CONSUMER PRODUCT
CATEGORIES. We intend to use our distribution system to sell products in other
consumer product categories to achieve additional revenue opportunities. While
our initial product focus is on groceries, non-prescription drugs and general
merchandise, we plan to identify and pursue new product category opportunities.
We believe that our same-day distribution system can position us as a preferred
online provider for many consumer products that can be delivered to the home.

THE WEBVAN WEBSTORE

     Our Webstore is a user-friendly, informative and personalized web site
which enables users to quickly and easily navigate and purchase from a wide
selection of items. The Webstore makes the shopping experience easy for the
customer by offering them multiple methods for shopping the site. The store
directory is divided into eleven intuitively organized categories and allows the
customer to quickly and efficiently find items. Once customers find the item
they want, they may add it to the shopping cart or may save it to a shopping
list. The shopping cart is always visible on the screen and instantly updates
and calculates the order total while the customer shops. Our Webstore promotes
brand loyalty and repeat purchases by providing a convenient, easy-to-use
experience that encourages customers to return frequently.

     HOME PAGE. Our home page serves as the entry point and gives visitors a
glimpse of the wide selection available on the site. On our home page, customers
find weekly specials on brand name products, a clearly defined directory
structure and links that showcase specific products and areas of the site.

                                       35
<PAGE>   38

     BROWSING. Our Webstore displays a store directory which allows visitors to
browse through all the categories of products Webvan offers. The categories are
intuitively organized by type of product and enable the user to drill down from
general to more specific categories, such as moving from produce to fruits to
bananas. The browsing tool also enables customers to see all products in a
particular category before making a selection, similar to scanning the shelves
of a neighborhood store. In addition, each item on the site has an image and
some have nutritional information attached, which further enhances the user
experience.

     SEARCHING. Our Webstore contains an interactive, searchable database of
over 15,000 SKUs. The customer can search based on product type, brand name or
category. The search results page displays each relevant item, along with the
product category and subcategories.

     CONTENT AND FEATURES. Webvan offers an array of content on the site to
enhance the user experience and encourage visitors to try new items. Our weekly
electronic magazine, Sensations, features special recipes, cooking tips,
features authored by food and health experts, and the opportunity to interact
with culinary professionals. As we accumulate data, our Webstore can be
personalized to appeal to individual customer preferences and buying habits.

     PERSONALIZATION AND LISTS. Our Webstore enables a customer to personalize
their shopping experience. The site's shopping list feature allows customers to
create and retain personal shopping lists in their profiles. Multiple lists can
be saved for weekly shopping, specific events or special occasions. Once a list
has been created and saved, it can be retrieved and modified at any time,
enabling customers to shop and check out in a few minutes. We believe that the
personalization of a customer's shopping experience is an important element of
our value proposition and we intend to continue to enhance our personalization
services.

     DELIVERY. Customers schedule their delivery by selecting a time from a grid
of 30-minute alternatives. Our real-time inventory tracking and delivery route
software systems are designed to help ensure that the groceries a customer
orders will be available so that they can be delivered at the delivery time
window selected by the customer. Using this system, the customer is able to
select and schedule a delivery to occur within an available specific 30-minute
window, on the same day or up to four days after the order is placed. Deliveries
are currently made from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. As we increase the number of orders we
process per day, we expect to make deliveries on Tuesday through Friday from
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and maintain our current Saturday delivery times. Our
customers must be at home to accept delivery of perishable or frozen items or
regulated products such as alcohol and tobacco. Non-perishable items may be
delivered when the customer is not home.


     Since our commercial launch through September 30, 1999, approximately 92%
of our orders have been delivered on time during the customer-selected delivery
window. While approximately 99% of our orders were delivered on time from August
18, 1999 through September 17, 1999, our on-time delivery rate has fluctuated
significantly since our commercial launch, and we expect it to fluctuate in the
future on a daily basis. For example, during the month of September 1999,
approximately 93% of our orders were delivered on time. In addition, during the
month of September 1999, approximately 99% of items ordered were filled
accurately by our system, while from our commercial launch through September 30,
1999, our accuracy rate was approximately 98%. The accuracy of this system has
fluctuated from time to time and there can be no assurance that this system will
continue to operate at or near 99% efficiency. Any material decrease in our
on-time delivery rate or in order fulfillment accuracy would likely have an
adverse impact on our consumer acceptance of our service, and a prolonged
decline in our on-time delivery rate or in order fulfillment accuracy would have
an adverse impact on our financial results. On occasion, we have experienced
operational "bugs" that have resulted in a high proportion of late deliveries or
order fulfillment inaccuracies on particular days. To date, these bugs have been
corrected in a short period of time and have not resulted in any long term
impact on our operations.


                                       36
<PAGE>   39

TECHNOLOGY


     We have developed a technologically advanced systems platform, which
integrates our entire business process from end to end. We have built an array
of proprietary advanced inventory management, warehouse management, route
management and materials handling systems and software to manage the entire
customer ordering and delivery flow process. Our proprietary automated materials
handling controller communicates with the Webstore and warehouse management
system and issues instructions to the various mechanized areas of the
distribution center to ensure the proper fulfillment of orders. We designed the
system to utilize automated conveyors and carousels to transport items to a few
centrally located employees. As a result, the system allows us to increase
volume without a proportionate increase in human resources.


     Once a delivery is scheduled, a route planning feature of the system
determines the most efficient route to deliver goods to the customer's home. The
courier communicates with the route planner and delivery scheduler modules
throughout the delivery process through the use of a wireless mobile field
device. Each aspect of this process is tightly integrated and enables us to
provide high quality service to our customers.


     We have devoted over 50 person years of effort to our software development
effort. Our software development expenses were $244,000 in 1997, $3,010,000 in
1998 and $6,308,000 for the six months ended June 30, 1999.


     We outsource most of our network operations functions and employ our own
customer services personnel. The continued uninterrupted operation of our
Webstore and transaction-processing systems is essential to our business, and it
is the job of the site operations staff to ensure, to the greatest extent
possible, the reliability of our Webstore and transaction-processing systems.
Webvan's web and database servers are hosted at Exodus Communications, Inc. in
Santa Clara, California.

DISTRIBUTION CENTER ROLL OUT


     We currently operate a 336,000 square foot distribution center facility in
Oakland, California. The distribution center was designed to process product
volumes equivalent to approximately 18 supermarkets and is the hub for the
receipt and distribution of products and allows for efficient sorting and
distribution of products. The distribution center is a clean, climate-controlled
facility segmented into separate ambient, refrigerated and frozen areas that
store grocery items at optimal temperatures. Identical software systems will be
implemented at each distribution center, enabling the easy replication of the
distribution center model across multiple locations and allowing for central
management of the entire system. Each distribution center, together with the
related stations and delivery infrastructure, is expected to be staffed with
approximately 900 employees when operating near its designed capacity. Based on
our analysis of publicly available data from traditional supermarkets, the
operation of 18 supermarkets would require up to 2,700 employees.



     We intend to pursue a roll out of distribution centers into various
locations in the U.S. to capitalize on what we view as a substantial market
opportunity. Our first facility in Oakland, California was commercially launched
in June 1999. We currently plan to open an additional distribution center in the
Atlanta market in the second quarter of 2000 and in the Chicago and Seattle
markets later in 2000, as well as seven additional distribution centers in 2001.
The cost of the construction of and equipment for each additional distribution
center is estimated at $25.0 million to $35.0 million. Based on our analysis of
public information, we believe that if our distribution center can generate
annual revenue of approximately $300 million, our revenue to capital expenditure
ratio will be approximately three times that of a traditional supermarket. We
plan to locate our distribution centers in industrially zoned areas, which
generally have lower real estate costs than traditional supermarkets located in
commercial areas. Specifically, when our distribution center is operating at its
designed capacity, we currently estimate that our real estate rental costs
related to such distribution center and related stations will be less than 1% of
the revenue from such distribution center. This compares to real estate rental
costs of approximately 4% to 6% of revenue for traditional supermarkets based on
our analysis of current real estate costs in the San Francisco Bay area. If our
distribution center does not


                                       37
<PAGE>   40


operate at its designed capacity or if our average order size is less than
expected, our real estate costs as a percentage of revenue could be
substantially higher than 1%, which could have a material adverse effect on our
results of operations. Additionally, our real estate rental costs will likely
vary as a percentage of revenue based on geographic location.



     In July 1999, we entered into an agreement with Bechtel Corporation for the
construction of up to 26 additional distribution centers over the next three
years in various locations that we designate. We believe that our alliance with
Bechtel will enable us to more aggressively roll out distribution centers in
other markets by utilizing their engineering, design, procurement and
construction expertise. Bechtel will be responsible for substantially all
aspects of the build-out program and will deliver completed distribution centers
to Webvan. Bechtel will also leverage its strengths in engineering management to
incorporate improvements to the design of our distribution centers. Bechtel will
perform such services within schedule and budgetary parameters determined by
Webvan, and will be eligible to receive incentive payments to the extent
distribution centers are completed within the preestablished parameters. Under
our agreement with Bechtel, Bechtel has agreed not to provide substantially
similar services to any other entity operating in a number of Internet retail
segments. We also issued Bechtel a warrant to purchase up to 1,800,000 shares of
our stock. The warrant has been exercised as to 150,000 shares and becomes
exercisable as to 150,000 additional shares when the first six distribution
centers are completed and as to an additional 57,690 shares upon the completion
of each distribution center within agreed upon schedule and budgetary
parameters.



     We currently obtain all of our carousels for our distribution centers from
Diamond Phoenix Corporation. Under our agreement with Diamond Phoenix, Diamond
Phoenix has agreed not to sell carousels to any other entity operating in a
number of Internet retail segments. In the event that the supply of carousels
from Diamond Phoenix were delayed or terminated for any reason, the Company
believes that it could obtain similar carousels from other sources; however, the
integration of such other carousels into our distribution centers could result
in construction delays and could require modifications to our software systems.
Accordingly, any such delay or termination of our relationship with Diamond
Phoenix could cause a material delay in our planned expansion program. In
addition, in connection with this arrangement, we made a minority equity
investment in Diamond Phoenix.


DELIVERY OPERATIONS


     The distribution center will serve as the center of our hub-and-spoke
delivery system. Orders are collected from the Webstore, routed and managed by
the distribution center, transferred to stations and delivered from the stations
to customers' homes. This model enables us to efficiently and cost effectively
deliver consumer goods to the home by combining centralized order fulfillment
with decentralized delivery. We use temperature-controlled trucks to deliver
from the distribution center to the station and smaller vans to deliver from the
station to the home. The stations are strategically positioned throughout a
delivery region within approximately 50 miles of a distribution center and
typically within approximately 10 miles of target customer residences. In our
initial market in the San Francisco Bay Area, we have 12 stations and expect
future distribution centers to support from 12 to 15 stations. We deliver to the
customer's door in a smaller van complete with refrigeration equipment to keep
chilled and frozen items at temperatures that insure their quality and
freshness. Each customer's order is delivered in environmentally-friendly
reusable containers, called totes.


     All of our couriers are Webvan employees. We utilize strict hiring
standards in choosing couriers and require each new employee to complete an
intensive training program. The courier training lasts three weeks and includes
32 hours of classroom training, 24 hours of driving training and 16 hours of on
the job training. Couriers are trained in responsible driving practices,
courtesy and the proper handling of totes and products. Our couriers receive a
competitive compensation package, including cash and stock options, and are
incentivized to reinforce our brand and help to create a lasting one-to-one
relationship with our customers. In addition, couriers have been trained to
answer questions about the service and handle service issues directly and
promptly at the customer residence. If the

                                       38
<PAGE>   41

customer is not satisfied with the products received, the courier is able to
initiate a transaction to replace items or credit the customer's bill.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

     We believe that our ability to establish and maintain long-term
relationships with our customers and to encourage repeat visits and purchases
depends on the strength of our customer support and service operations and
staff. We seek to achieve frequent communication with and feedback from our
customers to continually improve the Webvan service. Webvan offers a number of
automated help options on the website and an easy-to-use direct email service to
enable customers to ask questions and to encourage feedback and suggestions. We
plan to respond to customer email inquiries within 12 hours of the submission
and allow for a maximum response time of 24 hours. Our team of customer support
and service personnel are responsible for handling general customer inquiries,
answering customer questions about the ordering process, and investigating the
status of orders, deliveries and payments. Users can contact customer service
representatives via our toll free telephone number to ask questions or pay bills
if customers are reluctant to enter their credit card number over the Internet.
Our automated customer service function distributes emails to customers after
registration and after each order is placed. We plan to enhance the automation
of the tools used by our customer support and service staff in the future.

MARKETING AND PROMOTION

     Our marketing and promotion program is designed to strengthen the Webvan
brand name, drive trials of our service in our target markets, build strong
customer loyalty and maximize repeat usage and purchases. We intend to build our
brand name and customer loyalty through our public relations programs,
advertising campaigns and promotional activities. Our efforts will focus on
building credibility with customers and achieving market acceptance for our
services. We expect to advertise locally in our initial launch markets and plan
to tailor our advertising to each specific market. In addition, we plan to
leverage our relationships with our media investors, including CBS and Knight-
Ridder, for television, online and print advertising opportunities.

     In the future, Webvan expects to be able to provide increasingly targeted
and customized services by using the customer purchasing, preference and
behavioral data obtained through the traffic and purchases generated at the
Webstore. We also build brand loyalty though personalized interaction with
customers through prompt, professional delivery persons and through use of
Webvan delivery vehicles. By offering customers a compelling and personalized
value proposition, our goal is to increase the number of visitors that make a
purchase, to encourage repeat visits and purchases and to extend customer
retention. In addition, loyal, satisfied customers generate strong word-of-mouth
support and awareness which drive new customer acquisitions and increased order
volumes.

MERCHANTS AND VENDORS


     Webvan sources products from a network of food and drug manufacturers,
wholesalers and distributors. We currently rely on rapid fulfillment from
national and regional distributors for a substantial portion of our items. We
purchase a number of top brands and high volume items directly from
manufacturers and may increase our use of direct suppliers as our product
volumes increase with additional distribution centers. We also utilize premium
specialty suppliers or local sources for gourmet foods, farm fresh produce,
fresh fish and meats. Because we cover a broad area and service high volumes
from a single point of distribution, we offer our suppliers a very efficient
product supply model which is reflected in the discounts and pricing we receive.
When we select a new product for purchase, it is entered into the inventory
management system and our Webstore. We employ advanced replenishment and
expiration date controls to manage our inventory and maintain product freshness.
We estimate that a distribution center operating at its designed capacity would
turn inventory 24 times annually, compared to the 9 to 11 times of traditional
supermarkets based on our analysis of publicly available data for such
supermarkets. Due to our limited operating history, we


                                       39
<PAGE>   42


cannot assure you that our distribution center will ever operate at or near its
designed capacity or that our inventory will turn at or near 24 times annually.
As of June 30, 1999, we were purchasing products from 10 distributors and
directly from over 160 vendors.


COMPETITION


     The grocery retailing market is extremely competitive. Local, regional, and
national food chains, independent food stores and markets, as well as online
grocery retailers comprise our principal competition, although we also face
substantial competition from convenience stores, liquor retailers, membership
warehouse clubs, specialty retailers, supercenters, and drugstore chains. Many
of our existing and potential competitors, particularly traditional grocers and
retailers, are larger and have substantially greater resources than we do. We
expect this competition will intensify as more traditional and online grocery
retailers offer competitive services. In addition, although no traditional
supermarket chain has introduced an Internet based service on a large scale, we
expect competition from such retailers to intensify in the near future.



     Our initial distribution center in Oakland, California, operates in the San
Francisco Bay Area market. In this market, we compete primarily with traditional
grocery retailers and with online grocers NetGrocer and Peapod. We estimate that
as of the date of this prospectus, our potential competitors in markets other
than the San Francisco Bay Area include between five and ten full-service
grocery retailers operating exclusively online. The number and nature of
competitors and the amount of competition we will experience will vary over time
and by market area. In other markets, we expect to compete with current online
offerings from these companies and others, including HomeGrocer, HomeRuns and
Streamline. Many of these services charge membership, delivery or service fees,
and often offer their goods at a premium to traditional supermarkets. In
addition, most competing online retailers, including Peapod, currently use
manual shopping and retrieval systems which we believe lack the capability to
process a large number of orders for a large number of customers in a cost
efficient manner.



     The principal competitive factors that affect our business are location,
breadth of product selection, quality, service, price and consumer loyalty to
traditional and online grocery retailers. We believe that we compete favorably
with respect to each of these factors as compared to other online grocery
retailers. However, many traditional grocery retailers may have substantially
greater levels of consumer loyalty and serve many more locations than we
currently do. If we fail to effectively compete in any one of these areas, we
may lose existing and potential customers which would have a material adverse
effect on our business, net sales and operating margins.



     We also compete to retain customers once they have registered for Webvan's
services. Generally, online subscriber attrition rates, or the rates at which
subscribers cancel an online service, are high. High rates of member attrition
could have a material adverse effect on our net sales and business.


GOVERNMENT REGULATION

     In addition to regulations applicable to businesses generally or directly
applicable to electronic commerce, we are subject to a variety of regulations
concerning the handling, sale and delivery of food, alcohol and tobacco
products. As of the date of this prospectus, we are not subject to regulation by
the United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA. Whether the handling of
certain food items in our distribution facility, such as meat and fish, will
subject us to USDA regulation in the future will depend on several factors,
including whether we sell food products on a wholesale basis or whether we
obtain food products from non-USDA inspected facilities. Although we have
designed our food handling operations to comply with USDA regulations, we cannot
assure you that the USDA will not require changes to our food handling
operations. We will also be required to comply with local health regulations
concerning the preparation and packaging of our prepared meals and other food
items. Any applicable federal, state or local regulations may cause us to incur
substantial compliance costs or delay the availability of a number of items at
one or more of our distribution centers. In

                                       40
<PAGE>   43

addition, any inquiry or investigation from a food regulatory authority could
have a negative impact on our reputation. Any of these events could have a
material adverse effect on our business and expansion plans and could cause us
to lose customers.

     We will be required to obtain state licenses and permits for the sale of
alcohol and tobacco products in each location in which we seek to open a
distribution center. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain any
required permits or licenses in a timely manner, or at all. We may be forced to
incur substantial costs and experience significant delays in obtaining these
permits or licenses. In addition, the United States Congress is considering
enacting legislation which would restrict the interstate sale of alcoholic
beverages over the Internet. Changes to existing laws or our inability to obtain
required permits or licenses could prevent us from selling alcohol or tobacco
products in one or more of our geographic markets. Any of these events could
substantially harm our net sales, gross profit and ability to attract and retain
customers.

     The adoption of laws or regulations relating to large-scale retail store
operations could adversely affect the manner in which we currently conduct our
business. For example, the Governor of California recently vetoed legislation
which would have prohibited a public agency from authorizing retail store
developments exceeding 100,000 square feet if more than a small portion of the
store were devoted to the sale of non-taxable items, such as groceries. While it
is not clear whether our operations would be considered a retail store for
purposes of this kind of legislation, we cannot assure you that other state or
local governments will not seek to enact similar laws or that we would be
successful if forced to challenge the applicability of this kind of legislation
to our distribution facilities. The expenses associated with any challenge to
this kind of legislation could be material. If we are required to comply with
new regulations or legislation or new interpretations of existing regulations or
legislation, this compliance could cause us to incur additional expenses or
alter our business model.

     In addition, because of the increasing popularity of the Internet, it is
possible that a number of laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to
the Internet. These laws may cover issues such as user privacy, freedom of
expression, pricing, content and quality of products and services, taxation,
advertising, intellectual property rights and information security. Furthermore,
the growth of electronic commerce may prompt calls for more stringent consumer
protection laws. Several states have proposed legislation to limit the uses of
personal user information gathered online or require online services to
establish privacy policies. The Federal Trade Commission has also initiated
action against at least one online service regarding the manner in which
personal information is collected from users and provided to third parties. We
do not currently provide personal information regarding our users to third
parties. However, the adoption of such consumer protection laws could create
uncertainty in web usage and reduce the demand for our products and services.

     We are not certain how our business may be affected by the application of
existing laws governing issues such as property ownership, copyrights,
encryption and other intellectual property issues, taxation, libel, obscenity
and export or import matters. The vast majority of these laws were adopted prior
to the wide use of the Internet. As a result, they do not contemplate or address
the unique issues of the Internet and related technologies. Changes in laws
intended to address these issues could create uncertainty in the Internet market
place. This uncertainty could reduce demand for our services or increase the
cost of doing business as a result of litigation costs or increased service
delivery costs.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

     We regard patent rights, copyrights, service marks, trademarks, trade
secrets and similar intellectual property as important to our success. We rely
on patent, trademark and copyright law, trade secret protection and
confidentiality or license agreements with our employees, customers, partners
and others to protect our proprietary rights; however, the steps we take to
protect our proprietary rights may be inadequate. We have filed trademark
registration applications for the marks "WEBVAN", "WEBVAN.COM", the Webvan logo
and "THE ONLY .COM YOU REALLY NEED". We

                                       41
<PAGE>   44

currently have no patents protecting our technology. From time to time, we have
filed and expect to file patent applications directed to aspects of our
proprietary technology. We cannot assure you that any of these applications will
be approved, that any issued patents will protect our intellectual property or
that any issued patents or trademark registrations will not be challenged by
third parties. In addition, other parties may independently develop similar or
competing technology or design around any patents that may be issued to us.

EMPLOYEES


     As of September 30, 1999, we had 630 full-time employees consisting of 71
in software development, 128 in operations and administration, 29 in
merchandising, 16 in marketing and 386 at our distribution center in Oakland. We
expect to hire additional personnel at our Oakland facility and to staff our
other distribution centers as they are opened. None of our employees are
represented by a labor union. We have not experienced any work stoppages and
consider our employee relations to be good.


DEVELOPMENT OF OUR BUSINESS

     We believe that due to our current cash position, which includes the
proceeds from the sale of our preferred stock in July and August 1999, and our
flexibility with respect to the number and timing of additional distribution
centers we open, the net proceeds of this offering, together with our available
funds, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated needs for working capital and
capital expenditures through the next 12 months. Our future long-term capital
needs will be highly dependent on the number of additional distribution centers
we open, the timing of these openings and the success of these facilities once
they are launched. During this time, we expect to incur product development
costs related to the continued development of our software systems, including
enhancements to our order fulfillment, distribution, inventory and delivery
systems and to the features and functionality of our Webstore. We also plan to
undertake the construction and equipping of up to 26 distribution centers over
the next 3 years pursuant to our agreement with Bechtel Corporation. This
expansion program will result in a material increase in our number of employees
as we staff our new distribution centers and add personnel engaged in software
development, operations and administration, marketing and merchandising.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     From time to time, we may be involved in litigation relating to claims
arising out of our ordinary course of business. We are not currently a party to
any material litigation.

FACILITIES

     Our corporate offices are located in Foster City, California, where we
lease a total of approximately 7,400 square feet under leases that expire in May
2002. We recently signed a lease for approximately 55,000 square feet of office
space in Foster City, California that expires in November 2011, and we will be
relocating our corporate offices to this facility in the fourth quarter of 1999.
In addition, we recently signed two leases, which expire in August 2001 and
November 2012 for an aggregate of approximately 108,000 square feet of office
space in Foster City, California which we anticipate will satisfy our corporate
office space needs for the foreseeable future.


     We lease approximately 336,000 square feet in Oakland, California for our
distribution center under a lease that expires in June 2008, with an option to
extend the lease for an additional five years. We also lease an aggregate of
approximately 106,000 square feet for 16 local facilities for distribution in
the San Francisco Bay Area under leases that expire from June 2001 to May 2009.
We have signed a lease for a site of approximately 350,000 square feet for our
second distribution center site in Atlanta, Georgia. This lease expires in July
2009, with two options to extend the lease for additional five year periods. We
recently signed leases for sites in Springfield, Virginia; Grapevine,


                                       42
<PAGE>   45


Texas; Carol Stream, Illinois and Kent, Washington on which we plan to construct
distribution centers that will serve the metropolitan areas of the District of
Columbia, Dallas, Chicago and Seattle, respectively. We are evaluating sites and
negotiating leases for additional distribution centers in other markets.
Although we expect those sites to be available, we cannot assure you that
suitable sites will be available on commercially reasonable terms. We do not own
any real estate and expect to lease distribution center and station locations in
the other markets we enter.


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<PAGE>   46

                                   MANAGEMENT

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS


     The following table sets forth information regarding the executive officers
and directors of Webvan as of October 12, 1999:



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               NAME                  AGE                     POSITION(S)
               ----                  ---                     -----------
<S>                                  <C>   <C>
Louis H. Borders...................  51    Chairman of the Board
George T. Shaheen..................  55    President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Kevin R. Czinger...................  40    Senior Vice President, Corporate Operations and
                                           Finance
Arvind Peter Relan.................  36    Senior Vice President, Technology
Mark X. Zaleski....................  36    Senior Vice President, Area Operations
Gregory Beutler....................  39    Vice President, Merchandising
Gary B. Dahl.......................  45    Vice President, Distribution
Leo L. Farley......................  46    Vice President, Food Production
Mark J. Holtzman...................  39    Vice President and Controller
Vivek M. Joshi.....................  36    Vice President, Program Management
Christian T. Mannella..............  36    Vice President, Marketing
David S. Rock......................  50    Vice President, Real Estate
Robert H. Swan.....................  39    Vice President, Finance
David M. Beirne(1)(2)..............  36    Director
Christos M. Cotsakos(2)............  50    Director
Tim Koogle(1)......................  47    Director
Michael J. Moritz(1)(2)............  44    Director
</TABLE>


- -------------------------
(1) Member of Audit Committee

(2) Member of Compensation Committee

     LOUIS H. BORDERS has served as our Chairman of the Board since founding
Webvan in December 1996. Mr. Borders served as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Webvan from December 1996 to September 1999. Mr. Borders co-founded
Synergy Software, a software consulting company, in November 1989 and served on
its board of directors from November 1989 to November 1997. Mr. Borders founded
Borders Books, a retail bookstore chain, in 1971 and served as President and
Chief Executive Officer until 1983 and as Chairman from 1983 to 1992. He also
developed the advanced information systems used by Borders Books to manage
inventory across diverse geographic and demographic regions. In addition, Mr.
Borders is chairman of Mercury Capital Management, an investment firm he founded
in 1995. Mr. Borders holds a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of
Michigan.

     GEORGE T. SHAHEEN has served as President and Chief Executive Officer and
as a member of the Board of Webvan since September 1999. Prior to joining
Webvan, he had been the managing partner and chief executive officer of Andersen
Consulting, a global consulting firm, since the firm became an independent unit
in 1989. He joined Andersen Consulting in 1967 and became a partner in 1977.
From 1980 to 1985, he oversaw the consulting practice for North and South
Carolina before heading the Northern California Consulting practice based in San
Francisco. Prior to becoming managing partner and chief executive officer of
Andersen Consulting, Mr. Shaheen was managing partner of the Southeast U.S.
Region and North American practices. In addition, he was the practice director
for Japan and the Pacific Northwest. Mr. Shaheen is also a director of Siebel
Systems, Inc., a software company. He is on the Board of Trustees at Bradley
University and is a member of the Board of Advisors for the Northwestern
University J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Business. Mr. Shaheen received a
bachelor's degree in marketing and a master's degree in finance from Bradley
University.

                                       44
<PAGE>   47

     KEVIN R. CZINGER has served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Operations
and Finance of Webvan since July 1999. From March 1999 to July 1999, he was
Chief Financial Officer of Webvan. From 1998 to 1999, Mr. Czinger served as a
managing director in the media and telecommunications group at Merrill Lynch &
Co., Inc. From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Czinger served as Chief Executive Officer of
Volcano Entertainment L.L.C., a record and music publishing company he founded.
From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Czinger served as Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and then Chief Operating Officer of the North America
media/entertainment operations of Bertelsmann AG, a diversified media company.
From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Czinger was executive director and head of media banking
group at Goldman Sachs International, an investment banking firm. Mr. Czinger
holds a B.A. from Yale College and a J.D. from Yale Law School.

     ARVIND PETER RELAN has served as Senior Vice President, Technology of
Webvan since February 1998. From May 1994 to February 1998, Mr. Relan served in
various management positions at Oracle Corporation, a software company, most
recently as Vice President of Internet Server Products in its Application Server
Division. In 1995, Mr. Relan founded Oracle's Internet Server Division,
including Oracle's patented Web Request Broker technology, Oracle Application
Server and Oracle Internet Commerce Server. From 1988 to 1994, Mr. Relan held
various positions at Hewlett-Packard, a computer systems, equipment and services
company, including principal technologist for the HP Openview Platform. Mr.
Relan holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering from the University of California,
Los Angeles and a M.S. in Engineering Management from Stanford University.

     MARK X. ZALESKI has served as Senior Vice President, Area Operations of
Webvan since July 1999. From December 1998 to July 1999, he served as Chief
Operating Officer of Webvan. From 1994 to 1998, Mr. Zaleski served in various
executive management positions for ACNielsen, a market research company, most
recently as Senior Vice President and Group Managing Director of Central Europe.
From 1985 to 1994, Mr. Zaleski held several positions at Federal Express, most
recently as a Managing Director for Federal Express, Europe. From 1985 to 1988,
Mr. Zaleski held various management positions in hub, ground operation and sales
for Federal Express. Mr. Zaleski holds a B.S. in Business Administration and an
M.B.A. from the European University in Antwerp, Belgium.

     GREGORY BEUTLER has served as Vice President, Merchandising since August
1999. From September 1996 to August 1999, Mr. Beutler held several positions at
the General Electric Company, most recently as General Manager, Worldwide
Sourcing for GE Lighting. From September 1996 to December 1998, Mr. Beutler was
Director, Corporate Initiatives Group in Europe and at GE Corporate. From June
1990 to August 1996, Mr. Beutler was a Management Consultant at Symmetrix, Inc.,
a management consulting firm, most recently as Vice President. Mr. Beutler holds
a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a
Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University and a
M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

     GARY B. DAHL has served as Vice President, Distribution of Webvan since
April 1997. From March 1993 to April 1997, Mr. Dahl served as Senior Vice
President, Logistics of American Stores Company, a retail food and drug company.
From 1990 to 1993, Mr. Dahl was employed with Lucky Stores, a retail grocery
company, as a Vice President of Warehousing and Distribution. Mr. Dahl received
his B.A. in Biology from California State University, Long Beach and his M.P.H.
in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley.

     LEO L. FARLEY has served as Vice President, Food Production of Webvan since
July 1999. From 1998 to 1999, Mr. Farley was Vice President of Culinary Research
and Development for Sodexho Marriott Services, a food services company. In this
capacity, Mr. Farley was responsible for menu and recipe development, culinary
research and development and food safety and quality assurance. From 1986 to
1998, Mr. Farley held several executive management positions in finance,
strategic planning, project management and marketing with Marriott Management
Services, the contract food service division of Marriott International. Mr.
Farley holds a B.A. in Political Science from Drew University, an A.O.S. in
culinary arts from the Culinary Institute of America and an M.B.A. in finance
from New York University.

                                       45
<PAGE>   48

     MARK J. HOLTZMAN has served as Vice President and Controller of Webvan
since March 1999. Mr. Holtzman also serves as Chief Financial Officer of
Webvan -- Bay Area. From July 1997 to March 1999, Mr. Holtzman served as Chief
Financial Officer of Webvan. From December 1994 to July of 1997, Mr. Holtzman
served as Group Controller of MicroAge, a distributor and reseller of computer
products and services. From December 1989 to December 1994, Mr. Holtzman was
employed by Kenfil, Inc., a computer software distributor, becoming Chief
Financial Officer in 1993. Mr. Holtzman received his B.A. in Political Science
and Economics from University of California, Berkeley and his M.B.A. from the
University of Michigan. Mr. Holtzman is a Certified Public Accountant.

     VIVEK M. JOSHI has served as Vice President, Program Management of Webvan
since August 1999. From May 1996 to August 1999, Mr. Joshi held several
positions at General Electric Company, most recently as General Manager,
Off-Highway/Transit Operations at GE Transportation Systems. From May 1996 to
June 1998, Mr. Joshi was Manager, Corporate Initiatives Group at GE Corporate.
From October 1993 to May 1996, Mr. Joshi was a management consultant at Booz
Allen & Hamilton, a global management consulting company. From July 1992 to
October 1993, Mr. Joshi was a Manufacturing Team Leader at Johnson & Johnson
Advanced Materials Company. Mr. Joshi holds a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering
from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, and an M.S. in Chemical
Engineering and an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia.

     CHRISTIAN T. MANNELLA has served as Vice President, Marketing of Webvan
since December 1998. From July 1990 to November 1998, Mr. Mannella held several
positions at MCI WorldCom, most recently as Vice President of Sales & Service
Operations. From December 1995 to March 1998, Mr. Mannella was Vice President of
Brand Marketing for MCI WorldCom. From September 1989 to June of 1990, Mr.
Mannella was employed by Credit Card Service Corporation as Group Product
Manager. From January 1986 to September 1989, Mr. Mannella was employed as a
Marketing Manager by Marriott International. From July 1984 to January 1986, Mr.
Mannella was a Management Consultant with Laventhol & Horwath, CPAs. Mr.
Mannella holds a B.A. in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management from
Michigan State University.

     DAVID S. ROCK has served as Vice President, Real Estate of Webvan since May
1999. From January 1997 to May 1999, Mr. Rock served as Webvan's Vice President,
Retail. From 1987 to 1996, Mr. Rock owned and operated a business brokerage firm
specializing in the sale and acquisition of food and beverage retail businesses.


     ROBERT H. SWAN has served as Vice President, Finance of Webvan since
October 1999. From September 1985 to October 1999, Mr. Swan held a variety of
positions at General Electric Company, most recently as Vice President, Finance
and Chief Financial Officer of GE Lighting. From January 1997 to June 1998, Mr.
Swan served as Vice President, Finance of GE Medical Systems in Europe. From
October 1994 to January 1997, Mr. Swan served as Chief Financial Officer of GE
Transportation Systems. From May 1988 to October 1994, Mr. Swan held several
assignments with GE's Corporate Audit Staff. Mr. Swan holds a B.S. in Management
from the State University of New York at Buffalo and an M.B.A. from the State
University of New York at Binghamton.



     DAVID M. BEIRNE has served as a member of the Board since October 1997. Mr.
Beirne has been a Managing Member of Benchmark Capital, a venture capital firm,
since June 1997. Prior to joining Benchmark Capital, Mr. Beirne founded
Ramsey/Beirne Associates, an executive search firm, and served as its Chief
Executive Officer from October 1987 to June 1997. Mr. Beirne serves as a
director of Scient Corporation, Kana Communications, Inc. and 1-800-FLOWERS.COM,
Inc. Mr. Beirne received a B.S. in Management from Bryant College.


     CHRISTOS M. COTSAKOS has served as a member of the Board since May 1998.
Mr. Cotsakos has been the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of
E*TRADE Group, Inc. since December 1998. He joined E*TRADE in March 1996 as
President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining E*TRADE, he served as
President, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and a director of
ACNielsen, Inc. from March 1992 to January 1996. From March 1973 to March 1992,
he held a number of senior executive positions at FedEx Corporation. Mr.
Cotsakos serves as a director of

                                       46
<PAGE>   49

National Processing Company, Inc., Digital Island, Inc., Critical Path, Inc.,
and FOX Entertainment Group, Inc. Mr. Cotsakos received a B.A. from William
Paterson College, an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University and is currently pursuing
a Ph.D. in economics at the Management School, University of London.

     TIM KOOGLE has served as a member of the Board since July 1999. Mr. Koogle
has been the Chief Executive Officer of Yahoo!, Inc. and a member of Yahoo!'s
Board of Directors since August 1995. He has also been Yahoo!'s Chairman since
January 1999 and was its President from August 1995 until January 1999. Prior to
joining Yahoo!, Mr. Koogle was President of Intermec Corporation, a manufacturer
of data collection and data communication products, from 1992 to 1995. During
that time, he also served as a corporate Vice President of Intermec's parent
company, Western Atlas. Mr. Koogle also serves as a director of E-LOAN, Inc. Mr.
Koogle holds a B.S. degree from the University of Virginia and an M.S. degree
from Stanford University.

     MICHAEL J. MORITZ has served as a member of the Board since October 1997.
Mr. Moritz has been a general partner of Sequoia Capital, a venture capital
firm, since 1988. Between 1979 and 1984, Mr. Moritz was employed in a variety of
positions by Time, Inc. Mr. Moritz also serves as a director of Yahoo!,
Flextronics International, eToys Inc. and Agile Software Corporation. Mr. Moritz
holds an M.A. degree in history from Oxford University and an M.B.A. from the
Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania.

     Officers serve at the discretion of the Board and are appointed annually.
The employment of each of our officers is at will and may be terminated at any
time, with or without cause. There are no family relationships between any of
the directors or executive officers of Webvan.

BOARD COMPOSITION

     Webvan currently has authorized six directors. Webvan's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation will provide that, effective upon the closing of
this offering, the terms of office of the members of the Board of Directors will
be divided into three classes: Class I, whose term will expire at the annual
meeting of stockholders to be held in 2000, Class II, whose term will expire at
the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2001, and Class III, whose term
will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2002. The Class
I directors are Messrs. Cotsakos and Koogle, the Class II directors are Messrs.
Beirne and Moritz and the Class III directors are Messrs. Borders and Shaheen.
At each annual meeting of stockholders after the initial classification, the
successors to directors whose term will then expire will be elected to serve
from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting
following election. Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in
the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as
nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the total number of
directors. This classification of the Board of Directors may have the effect of
delaying or preventing changes in control or management of Webvan.

     Messrs. Beirne and Moritz are currently serving on the Board as
representatives of the holders of our Series A preferred stock and Mr. Cotsakos
is currently serving on the Board as a representative of the holders of our
Series C preferred stock. The holders of our Series A preferred stock and Series
C preferred stock are entitled to elect these directors pursuant to the terms of
the preferred stock as set forth in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
Upon the closing of this offering, the outstanding shares of preferred stock
will convert into shares of common stock and the holders of the preferred stock
will no longer have the right to appoint any directors.

BOARD COMMITTEES

     The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors reviews our internal
accounting procedures and consults with and reviews the services provided by our
independent accountants. The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs.
Beirne, Koogle and Moritz.

                                       47
<PAGE>   50

     The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors reviews and recommends
to the Board the compensation and benefits of all of our executive officers,
administers our stock option plan and employee stock purchase plan and
establishes and reviews general policies relating to compensation and benefits
of our employees. The Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs.
Beirne, Cotsakos and Moritz. No interlocking relationships exist between our
Board of Directors or Compensation Committee and the board of directors or
compensation committee of any other company, nor has any interlocking
relationship existed in the past.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

     Our directors do not receive cash for services they provide as directors.
In July 1998, Mr. Cotsakos was granted an option to purchase 2,190,276 shares of
common stock at an exercise price of $0.10 per share. The option granted to Mr.
Cotsakos vests at the rate of one-sixteenth ( 1/16th) of the shares subject to
the option per quarter.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS

     No executive officer of Webvan serves as a member of the board of directors
or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers
serving as a member of Webvan's Board of Directors.

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND CHANGE OF CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS


     Mr. Shaheen is a party to an agreement with us effective as of September
19, 1999. As contemplated by this agreement, Mr. Shaheen will serve as our Chief
Executive Officer and President and a member of our Board of Directors. Under
the agreement, we agreed to pay Mr. Shaheen a base salary of $500,000, subject
to annual adjustment, and a target bonus of $250,000. In connection with this
agreement, Mr. Shaheen was granted 1,250,000 shares of fully vested common stock
and was granted an option to purchase an additional 15,000,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $8.00 per share. The option is immediately vested
as to 3,000,000 shares and the remaining shares will vest monthly over a four
year period, subject to Mr. Shaheen's continued service. Our Chairman, Louis
Borders, also granted Webvan an option to purchase up to 4,250,000 shares of
common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Borders at an exercise price of $8.00 per
share. This option vests monthly over a four year period, subject to Mr.
Shaheen's continued service to Webvan. We also loaned Mr. Shaheen $6.7 million
at an annual interest rate of 6.2% with the loan to be repaid with a portion of
the gain realized by Mr. Shaheen upon the sale of his shares of Webvan common
stock or upon exercise of his Webvan stock options.


     We also agreed to provide Mr. Shaheen a supplemental retirement benefit
equal to 50% of his base compensation plus target bonus upon his retirement for
any reason after June 30, 2000. In the event that Mr. Shaheen is terminated
without cause or resigns for good reason, he is entitled to severance equal to
two years of base salary plus target bonus and two years additional vesting on
his stock options. In addition, if Mr. Shaheen is terminated without cause or
resigns for good reason within 12 months following a change in control of
Webvan, he shall be entitled to severance equal to three years of base salary
plus target bonus, full vesting as to all of his unvested stock options and
payment of any excise taxes payable by Mr. Shaheen in connection with the
receipt of such compensation. In the event of Mr. Shaheen's death or permanent
disability, he shall be entitled to accelerated vesting as to 50% of his
unvested stock options and he or his estate shall have 12 months to exercise any
vested options.

     Mr. Dahl is a party to an offer letter, dated March 31, 1997. Under the
offer letter, we agreed to pay Mr. Dahl a base salary of $200,000, subject to
annual adjustment.

     Mr. S. Coppy Holzman, our Vice President, Merchandising until August 1999,
is a party to an offer letter, dated September 2, 1997. Under the offer letter,
we agreed to pay Mr. Holzman a base salary of $250,000, subject to annual
adjustment. The offer letter provides that, in the event that

                                       48
<PAGE>   51

Mr. Holzman's employment is terminated for other than cause, we are obligated to
pay him a six month salary severance. This provision expires on October 1, 1999.

     Mr. Holtzman is a party to an offer letter, dated June 5, 1997. Under the
offer letter, we agreed to pay Mr. Holtzman a base salary of $175,000, subject
to annual adjustment. The offer letter provides that in the event that Mr.
Holtzman's employment is terminated for other than cause, we are obligated to
pay him a monthly salary severance and option vesting for up to six months until
he is employed elsewhere at a comparable salary.

     Mr. Relan is a party to an offer letter, dated February 2, 1998. Under the
offer letter, we agreed to pay Mr. Relan a base salary of $200,000, subject to
annual adjustment. The offer letter provides that in the event that Mr. Relan's
employment is terminated for any reason following the second anniversary of his
employment, we are obligated to, at our option, either pay to Mr. Relan the sum
of $3.0 million or accelerate the vesting of all of Mr. Relan's options to
purchase our common stock. The offer letter further provides that, in the event
that Mr. Relan's employment is terminated without cause, we are obligated to pay
him six months of salary and benefits as severance. Under Mr. Relan's offer
letter, he has the right, expiring in March 2000, to cause Webvan to repurchase
up to 1,914,000 shares of common stock beginning on the first anniversary of his
employment and an additional 1,914,000 shares of common stock beginning on the
second anniversary of his employment, in each case at a price of $0.37 per
share. Mr. Relan also has the right to participate in sales of our preferred
stock prior to the initial public offering of our common stock up to a maximum
amount of $200,000 for each round of financing.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation paid by Webvan
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 to our Chief Executive Officer
and our four other most highly compensated executive officers whose salary and
bonus exceeds $100,000 (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers") for
services rendered in all capacities to Webvan.

                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       ANNUAL COMPENSATION(1)            LONG TERM
                                 -----------------------------------   COMPENSATION
                                                      OTHER ANNUAL       AWARDS OF        ALL OTHER
 NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS     SALARY    BONUS    COMPENSATION(2)   STOCK OPTIONS   COMPENSATION(3)
 ----------------------------    --------   ------   ---------------   -------------   ---------------
<S>                              <C>        <C>      <C>               <C>             <C>
Louis H. Borders...............  $     --   $   --       $    --                --         $   --
  Chairman, President and Chief
  Executive Officer(4)
Gary B. Dahl...................   178,600    8,750            --           600,000          2,000
  Vice President, Distribution
Mark J. Holtzman...............   150,000    7,500        13,835         1,200,000          2,000
  Controller
S. Coppy Holzman(5)............   219,431       --            --           900,000          1,491
  Vice President, Merchandising
Arvind Peter Relan(6)..........   142,974    7,692            --         7,956,000          2,000
  Senior Vice President,
  Technology
</TABLE>

- -------------------------
(1) Other compensation in the form of perquisites and other personal benefits
    has been omitted in those cases where the aggregate amount of such
    perquisites and other personal benefits constituted less than the lesser of
    $50,000 or 10% of the total annual salary and bonus for the Named Executive
    Officer for such year.

(2) Represents a payment for a relocation allowance.

                                       49
<PAGE>   52

(3) Represents 401(k) plan matching by Webvan.

(4) Mr. Borders served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Webvan from
    December 1996 to September 1999.

(5) Mr. Holzman was Vice President, Merchandising of Webvan from September 1997
    through August 1999.

(6) Mr. Relan joined Webvan in February 1998.

OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

     The following table sets forth information for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998 with respect to each grant of stock options to the Named
Executive Officers:

               OPTION GRANTS DURING YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   INDIVIDUAL GRANTS(1)            POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                           ------------------------------------      VALUE AT ASSUMED
                                           % OF TOTAL                             ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
                                             OPTIONS                              PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
                                           GRANTED TO    EXERCISE                     OPTION TERM(3)
                                OPTIONS     EMPLOYEES    PRICE PER   EXPIRATION   ----------------------
            NAME                GRANTED    IN 1998(2)      SHARE        DATE         5%          10%
            ----               ---------   -----------   ---------   ----------   ---------   ----------
<S>                            <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
Louis H. Borders.............         --        --%       $    --           --     $    --     $     --
Gary B. Dahl.................    600,000       1.3         0.0125    1/06/2008       4,717       11,953
Mark J. Holtzman.............  1,200,000       2.6         0.0125    1/06/2008       9,433       23,906
S. Coppy Holzman.............    900,000       2.0         0.0125    1/06/2008       7,075       17,930
Arvind Peter Relan...........  7,656,000      16.5         0.0125    3/06/2008      60,185      152,521
Arvind Peter Relan...........    300,000       0.6         0.0125    5/13/2008       2,358        5,977
</TABLE>

- -------------------------
(1) Each of these options was granted pursuant to the Stock Plan and is subject
    to the terms of such plan. These options were granted at an exercise price
    equal to the fair market value of our common stock as determined by our
    Board of Directors on the date of grant and, as long as the optionee
    maintains continuous employment with Webvan, vest over a four year period at
    the rate of one-fourth ( 1/4th) of the shares subject to the option on the
    first anniversary of the date of grant and one-sixteenth ( 1/16th) of the
    shares subject to the option per quarter thereafter.

(2) In 1998, we granted employees and consultants options to purchase an
    aggregate of 46,436,478 shares of common stock.

(3) The gains shown are "option spreads" that would exist for the respective
    options granted. These gains are based on the assumed rates of annual
    compound stock price appreciation of 5% and 10% from the date the option was
    granted over the full option term. These assumed annual compound rates of
    stock price appreciation do not represent our estimate or projection of
    future common stock prices.

                                       50
<PAGE>   53

    AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 1998 AND DECEMBER 31, 1998 OPTION VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 NUMBER OF OPTIONS AT
                           SHARES                    DECEMBER 31,          VALUE OF IN-THE-MONEY
                          ACQUIRED     VALUE            1998(2)                 OPTIONS(3)
                         ON OPTIONS   REALIZED   ---------------------   -------------------------
         NAME             EXERCISE      (1)       VESTED     UNVESTED      VESTED       UNVESTED
         ----            ----------   --------   ---------   ---------   -----------   -----------
<S>                      <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>
Louis H. Borders.......         --    $    --           --          --   $        --   $        --
Gary B. Dahl...........  2,250,000     26,250    1,068,750   1,781,250    12,821,487    21,369,145
Mark J. Holtzman.......  1,860,000     14,700      768,750   1,691,250     9,219,986    20,283,969
S. Coppy Holzman.......  2,250,000     26,250      984,375   2,165,625    11,808,401    25,978,482
Arvind Peter Relan.....  3,828,000         --           --   7,956,000            --    95,372,550
</TABLE>

- -------------------------
(1) Equal to the fair market value of the purchased shares on the option
    exercise date, less the exercise price paid for such shares.

(2) The options are immediately exercisable for all of the option shares, but
    any shares purchased under those options will be subject to repurchase by
    Webvan at the original exercise price paid per share, if the optionee ceases
    service with Webvan before vesting in those shares. The heading "Vested"
    refers to shares that are no longer subject to repurchase and the heading
    "Unvested" refers to shares subject to repurchase as of December 31, 1998.

(3) Based upon an assumed initial public offering price of $12.00 per share less
    the exercise price per share.

COMPENSATION PLANS

1997 Stock Plan


     Webvan's Stock Plan was approved by the Board of Directors and the
stockholders in September 1997 and was amended in March 1998, July 1998, October
1998, December 1998, January 1999 and August 1999. The Stock Plan provides for
the grant to employees of Webvan, including officers and employee directors, of
incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and for the grant of nonstatutory stock
options to employees, directors and consultants of Webvan. The Stock Plan is
currently administered by the Board of Directors which selects the optionees,
determines the number of shares to be subject to each option and determines the
exercise price of each option. The Stock Plan authorizes the issuance of an
aggregate of up to 79,500,000 shares of common stock. The maximum number of
shares that may be granted to any individual under the Stock Plan in any year is
2,000,000, except that an individual may be granted up to an additional
2,000,000 shares in connection with his or her initial service. As of September
30, 1999, options to purchase an aggregate of 44,853,676 shares of common stock
were outstanding under the Stock Plan, and an aggregate of 10,451,847 shares of
common stock remained available for future grants. The number of shares of
common stock reserved for issuance under this plan will be subject to an annual
increase on each anniversary beginning January 1, 2000 equal to the lesser of:


     - 16,000,000 shares;

     - 4% of the outstanding shares on such date; or

     - an amount determined by the Board.

     The exercise price of all incentive stock options granted under the Stock
Plan must be at least equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the
date of grant. The exercise price of all nonstatutory stock options granted
under the Stock Plan shall be determined by the administrator, but in no event
may be less than 85% of the fair market value on the date of grant. With respect
to any participant who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the voting power
of all classes of stock of Webvan, the exercise price of any incentive or
nonstatutory option granted must equal at least 110%

                                       51
<PAGE>   54

of the fair market value on the grant date and the maximum term of any such
option must not exceed five years. The term of all other options granted under
the Stock Plan may not exceed ten years.


     In the event a participant in the Stock Plan ceases to be an employee,
director or consultant of Webvan, other than upon the participant's death or
disability, the participant may exercise his or her vested options for a period
of three months following such termination, unless a different exercise period
is specified in his or her option agreement.


     In the event of a merger of Webvan with or into another corporation or a
sale of substantially all of our assets, the Stock Plan requires that each
outstanding option be assumed or an equivalent option substituted by the
successor corporation; provided, however, that in the event the successor
corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the outstanding options, such
options will become fully vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen days
after notice from the administrator. Unless terminated sooner, the Stock Plan
will terminate ten years from its effective date. The Board has authority to
amend or terminate the Stock Plan, provided that no such action may impair the
rights of the holder of any outstanding options without the written consent of
that holder.

1999 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan


     Our 1999 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan was approved by the Board of
Directors in September 1999. The Nonstatutory Plan provides for the grant of
nonstatutory stock options to employees, directors and consultants of Webvan.
Executive officers are only eligible to receive options under the Nonstatutory
Plan in connection with their initial employment by Webvan. The Nonstatutory
Plan is currently administered by the Board of Directors which selects the
optionees, determines the number of shares to be subject to each option and
determines the exercise price of each option. The Nonstatutory Plan authorizes
the issuance of an aggregate of up to 23,000,000 shares of common stock. As of
September 30, 1999 options to purchase an aggregate of 15,843,750 shares of
common stock were outstanding under the Nonstatutory Plan, and an aggregate of
7,156,250 shares of common stock remained available for future grants.


     The exercise price of all stock options granted under the Nonstatutory Plan
shall be determined by the administrator and the maximum term of an option may
not exceed ten years.

     In the event a participant in the Nonstatutory Plan ceases to be an
employee, director or consultant of Webvan, other than upon the participant's
death or disability, the participant may exercise his or her vested options for
a period of three months following such termination, unless a different exercise
period is specified in his or her option agreement.

     In the event of a merger of Webvan with or into another corporation or a
sale of substantially all of our assets, the Nonstatutory Plan requires that
each outstanding option be assumed or an equivalent option substituted by the
successor corporation; provided, however, that in the event the successor
corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the outstanding options, such
options will become fully vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen days
after notice from the administrator. Unless terminated sooner, the Nonstatutory
Plan will terminate ten years from its effective date. The Board has authority
to amend or terminate the Nonstatutory Plan, provided that no such action may
impair the rights of the holder of any outstanding options without the written
consent of that holder.

1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

     Our 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the Purchase Plan, provides our
employees with an opportunity to purchase our common stock through accumulated
payroll deductions. This plan will become effective upon the closing of this
offering. A total of 5,000,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for
issuance under the Purchase Plan, none of which have been issued. The number of

                                       52
<PAGE>   55

shares reserved for issuance under the Purchase Plan will be subject to an
annual increase on each anniversary beginning January 1, 2000 equal to the
lesser of:

     - the number of shares issued under the Purchase Plan in the prior year; or

     - an amount determined by the Board.

     The Purchase Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors or by a
committee appointed by the Board. The Purchase Plan permits eligible employees
to purchase common stock through payroll deductions up to a maximum of $25,000
for all purchases ending within the same calendar year and up to a maximum of
1,000 shares for each purchase period. Employees are eligible to participate if
they are employed by us for at least 20 hours per week and more than five months
in any calendar year. Unless the Board of Directors or its committee determines
otherwise, each offering period will run for six months. The first offering
period will commence on the date of this prospectus and end on or about August
14, 2000, and new offering periods will commence every six months thereafter. In
the event we are acquired, each outstanding option shall be assumed or an
equivalent option substituted by the successor corporation. In the event that
the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the option, the
offering period then in progress will be shortened by setting a new exercise
date. The price at which common stock will be purchased under the Purchase Plan
is equal to 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the first or
last day of the applicable offering period, whichever is lower. Employees may
end their participation in the offering period at any time, and participation
automatically ends on termination of employment. Generally, the Board of
Directors may amend, modify or terminate the Purchase Plan at any time as long
as such amendment, modification or termination does not impair the rights of
plan participants. The Purchase Plan will terminate at 2009, unless terminated
earlier in accordance with its provisions.

401(k) Plan

     Webvan adopted a retirement savings plan, or 401(k) Plan, that covers all
of our employees. An employee may elect to defer, in the form of contributions
to the 401(k) Plan, up to 15% of the total annual compensation that would
otherwise be paid to the employee, subject to statutory limitations. Employee
contributions are invested in selected mutual funds or money market funds
according to the directions of the employee. Webvan makes matching contributions
as a percentage of employee contributions, subject to established limits. The
employees' contributions are fully vested and nonforfeitable at all times.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION MATTERS

     Our Certificate of Incorporation limits the liability of directors to the
maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware law provides that directors
of a corporation will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach
of their fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for:

     - any breach of their duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
       stockholders;

     - acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
       misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

     - unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or
       redemption; or

     - any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
       benefit.

     This limitation of liability does not apply to liabilities arising under
the federal securities laws and does not affect the availability of equitable
remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.

     Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that we shall indemnify
our directors and executive officers and may indemnify other officers and
employees and our agents to the fullest extent permitted by law. We believe that
indemnification under our Bylaws covers at least negligence and gross negligence
on the part of indemnified parties. Our Bylaws also permit us to secure
insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any
liability arising out of his or her actions

                                       53
<PAGE>   56

in that capacity, regardless of whether the Bylaws would permit indemnification.
We have director and officer liability insurance that covers matters, including
matters arising under the Securities Act.

     We have entered into agreements to indemnify our directors and executive
officers, in addition to indemnification provided for in our Bylaws. These
agreements, among other things, provide for indemnification of our directors and
executive officers for judgments, fines, settlement amounts and expenses,
including attorneys' fees, incurred by any of these persons in any action or
proceeding, including any action by or in the right of Webvan, arising out of
that person's services as a director or executive officer of ours, any
subsidiary of ours or any other company or enterprise to which the person
provides services at our request. We believe that these provisions and
agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors
and executive officers.

     There is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any director,
officer, employee or agent of Webvan where indemnification will be required or
permitted. We are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation or
proceeding that might result in a claim for such indemnification.

                                       54
<PAGE>   57

                           RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

SALES OF STOCK TO INSIDERS

     In April 1997, we issued 27,038,856 shares of common stock to the Louis H.
Borders Amended and Restated Revocable Trust dated December 4, 1987, and
17,361,144 shares of common stock to ISR GRAT I, a trust affiliated with Mr.
Borders, for an aggregate purchase price of $37,000. Louis H. Borders is our
Chairman and former President and Chief Executive Officer.

     In October 1997, we issued an aggregate of 111,643,872 shares of Series A
preferred stock to investors for an aggregate purchase price of approximately
$10.7 million. The following directors, executive officers, holders of more than
5% of a class of voting securities and members of such person's immediate
families purchased shares of Series A preferred stock:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 SHARES OF
                                                                 SERIES A
                         PURCHASER                            PREFERRED STOCK
                         ---------                            ---------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Louis H. Borders Amended and Restated Revocable Trust dated
  December 4, 1987..........................................    22,240,896
ISR GRAT I..................................................    14,281,080
Benchmark Capital...........................................    36,521,976
Sequoia Capital.............................................    36,521,976
</TABLE>


     In May and June 1998, we issued an aggregate of 38,612,184 shares of Series
B preferred stock to investors for an aggregate purchase price of approximately
$35.3 million. SOFTBANK America Inc., a holder of more than 5% of our voting
securities, purchased 36,521,976 shares of Series B preferred stock in such
transaction.

     In January and April 1999, we issued an aggregate of 32,341,200 shares of
Series C preferred stock to investors for an aggregate purchase price of
approximately $75.1 million. E*TRADE Group, Inc. and Yahoo! Inc. each purchased
4,304,100 shares of Series C preferred stock in such transaction. Christos M.
Cotsakos, a director of Webvan, is the President and CEO of E*TRADE Group, Inc.,
and Tim Koogle, a director of Webvan, is the Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of Yahoo! Inc.

     In June 1999, as contemplated by his offer letter, Kevin R. Czinger
purchased 450,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $1.35 per share.

     In July 1999, we entered into an agreement to issue an aggregate of
21,670,605 shares of Series D-2 preferred stock to investors at an aggregate
purchase price of approximately $275.0 million. Entities affiliated with
SOFTBANK America Inc. purchased 9,850,275 shares of Series D-2 preferred stock
and entities affiliated with Sequoia Investors Group purchased 3,940,110 shares
of Series D-2 preferred stock transaction.

     In July 1999, we issued an option to purchase 150,000 shares of common
stock to Yahoo! Inc. at a price of $3.33 per share under our 1997 Stock Plan.
The option granted to Yahoo! Inc. vests at the rate of one-sixteenth ( 1/16th)
of the shares subject to the agreement per quarter as long as Mr. Koogle remains
on our Board of Directors.

     Each share of Series A preferred stock, Series B preferred stock, Series C
preferred stock and Series D preferred stock will convert into one share of
common stock immediately prior to the closing of this offering.

OTHER AGREEMENTS WITH INSIDERS

     We are a party to a voting agreement executed in September 1997, as amended
in December 1998, with the Louis H. Borders Amended and Restated Revocable Trust
dated December 4, 1987, and a number of our shareholders affiliated with or
related to Mr. Borders. Such shareholders each executed an irrevocable proxy
appointing the trustee of the trust as their proxy and attorney-in-fact. The
voting agreement and irrevocable proxy will terminate immediately prior to the
closing of this offering.

                                       55
<PAGE>   58

     Mark Zaleski, our Senior Vice President, Area Operations, is a party to an
offer letter, dated December 14, 1998. In March 1999, Webvan loaned Mr. Zaleski
$200,000 to be used towards the purchase of a house in the San Francisco Bay
Area. This loan was made as an interest-free employee relocation bridge loan, as
contemplated by his offer letter, and is repayable upon the first to occur of
March 1, 2000 or 15 days after the sale of his previous residence. The offer
letter also provides that in the event that Mr. Zaleski's employment is
terminated for other than cause, we are obligated to pay him a severance of six
months of salary and benefits as well as continued salary and benefits for up to
12 months until he obtains subsequent employment. In the event of such a
termination, the unvested portion of Mr. Zaleski's options will become
exercisable to the extent of an additional 12 months of vesting.

     Mr. Czinger is a party to an offer letter dated March 17, 1999. The offer
letter provides that, in the event that Mr. Czinger's employment is terminated
for other than cause, we are obligated to pay him a lump sum severance of six
months of salary and benefits as well as continued salary and benefits for up to
six months until Mr. Czinger obtains subsequent employment. Mr. Czinger also has
the option to purchase 430,416 shares of our Series C preferred stock at an
exercise price of $2.32 per share by January 1, 2000. The offer letter further
provides that, if Mr. Czinger is involuntarily terminated by Webvan or a
successor company, the unvested portion of his options will become exercisable
to the extent of an additional 12 months of vesting.


     Gregory Beutler, our Vice President, Merchandising, and Vivek M. Joshi, our
Vice President, Program Management are each party to offer letters, dated August
19, 1999 and July 25, 1999, respectively. Each of the offer letters provide
that, in the event such person's employment is terminated for other than cause,
we are obligated to pay him a six month salary and benefits severance as well as
continued salary and benefits for up to six additional months until he obtains
subsequent employment.


     In connection with the recruiting of some of our executive officers and
employees, we engaged the services of Ramsey/Beirne Associates, an executive
search firm. Mr. Beirne, one of our directors, is the chairman of Ramsey/Beirne
and owns more than 5% of the stock of Ramsey/Beirne. As consideration for these
services, we paid Ramsey/Beirne an aggregate of $185,000 in cash, 382,500 shares
of our common stock and options to purchase up to 159,840 shares of our common
stock, all of which have been exercised.


     Robert H. Swan, our Vice President, Finance, is a party of an offer letter
dated October 2, 1999. The offer letter provides that in the event Mr. Swan's
employment is terminated for other than cause, we are obligated to pay him a six
month salary and benefits severance as well as continued salary and benefits for
up to six additional months until he obtains subsequent employment. The offer
letter further provides that if Mr. Swan is terminated for other than cause, the
unvested portion of his options will become exercisable to the extent of an
additional six months of vesting.


                                       56
<PAGE>   59

                             PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS


     The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial
ownership of our common stock as of September 30, 1999 with respect to


     - each person or group of affiliated persons known by Webvan to own
       beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock;

     - each of our directors;

     - each of the Named Executive Officers; and

     - all directors and executive officers as a group.

     The address for each listed director and officer is c/o Webvan Group, Inc.,
1241 East Hillsdale Boulevard, Suite 210, Foster City, California 94404. Except
as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the table, each of the stockholders
has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of beneficially
owned by such stockholders, subject to community property laws where applicable.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    PERCENTAGE OF
                                                             NUMBER OF SHARES    SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                 NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                   BENEFICIALLY OWNED        OWNED(1)
                 ------------------------                   ------------------   -------------------
<S>                                                         <C>                  <C>
Louis H. Borders(2).......................................      83,902,776              28.3%
SOFTBANK America Inc.(3)..................................      46,372,251              15.7
  300 Delaware Avenue, Suite 900
  Wilmington, Delaware 19801
Sequoia Capital(4)........................................      40,462,086              13.7
  Michael J. Moritz
Benchmark Capital(5)......................................      36,521,976              12.3
  David M. Beirne
Arvind Peter Relan(6).....................................       3,940,500               1.3
S. Coppy Holzman(7).......................................       2,700,000                 *
Gary B. Dahl(8)...........................................       2,625,000                 *
Mark J. Holtzman(9).......................................       1,926,000                 *
Christos Cotsakos(10).....................................         821,354                 *
Tim Koogle(11)............................................              --                --
All directors and officers as a group (16 persons)(12)....     181,944,042              60.5
</TABLE>


- -------------------------
  *  Less than 1%


 (1) Applicable percentage ownership is based on 296,214,226 shares of common
     stock outstanding as of September 30, 1999. Shares of common stock that a
     person has the right to acquire within 60 days of September 30, 1999 are
     deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of
     the person holding such rights, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes
     of computing the percentage ownership of any other person, except with
     respect to the percentage ownership of all directors and executive officers
     as a group.



 (2) Includes 36,343,224 shares held by Louis H. Borders, Trustee of the Louis
     H. Borders Amended and Restated Revocable Trust dated December 4, 1987, or
     the Trust; 31,642,224 shares held by ISR GRAT I; 12,917,328 shares held by
     ISR GRAT II and 3,000,000 shares held by Louis H. Borders as trustee of a
     trust for the benefit of a member of his family. ISR GRAT I holds shares
     for the benefit of the Trust and will expire in February 2000. ISR GRAT II
     holds shares for the benefit of a member of Mr. Borders' family and will
     expire in December 2002. Mr. Borders is Chairman of Webvan. Certain
     employees of Mercury Capital Management held options to purchase 195,000
     shares of common stock held by the Trust, and Webvan holds an option to
     purchase up to 4,250,000 shares of common stock held by the Trust at an
     exercise price of $8.00 per share.


                                       57
<PAGE>   60

 (3) Includes 9,717,243 shares held by SOFTBANK Capital Partners LP and 133,032
     shares held by SOFTBANK Capital Advisors Fund LLP.

 (4) Includes 33,417,612 shares held by Sequoia Capital VII, or Sequoia Capital;
     3,940,110 shares held by Sequoia Capital Franchise Fund, or Sequoia Fund
     and Sequoia Capital Franchise Partners, or Sequoia Partners; 1,460,880
     shares held by Sequoia Technology Partners VII; 677,844 shares held by SQP
     1997; 584,352 shares held by Sequoia International Partners and 381,288
     shares held by Sequoia 1997 LLC. Mr. Moritz, one of our directors, is a
     general partner of Sequoia Capital, Sequoia Fund, Sequoia Partners, Sequoia
     Technology, SQP, Sequoia International and Sequoia LLC. Mr. Moritz
     disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares held by Sequoia Capital,
     Sequoia Fund, Sequoia Partners, Sequoia Technology, SQP, Sequoia
     International and Sequoia LLC, except to the extent of his pecuniary
     interest therein.


 (5) Includes 32,043,432 shares held by Benchmark Capital Partners, L.P., or
     Benchmark Capital, and 4,478,544 shares held by Benchmark Founders' Fund,
     L.P., or Benchmark Founders. Mr. Beirne, one of our directors, is a
     Managing Member of Benchmark Capital Management Co., LLC, the general
     partner of Benchmark Capital and Benchmark Founders. Mr. Beirne disclaims
     beneficial ownership of such shares held by Benchmark Capital and Benchmark
     Founders, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.



 (6) Includes an aggregate of 55,000 shares held in trusts for the benefit of
     Mr. Relan's relatives, 37,500 shares held by Renuka Prasad Relan, Trustee
     of the Renuka Prasad Relan 1999 Grantor Trust, 37,500 shares held by Arvind
     Peter Relan, Trustee of the Arvind Peter Relan 1999 Grantor Trust and
     75,000 shares held by Arvind Peter Relan and Renuka Prasad Relan, Trustees
     of the Relan Family 1999 Trust. Includes 112,500 shares subject to an
     option exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 1999. Of the shares
     included in the table, 957,000 shares are subject to a right of repurchase
     in favor of Webvan in the event that Mr. Relan's employment with Webvan
     terminates. Such repurchase right expired as to 25% of the shares in
     February 1999 and will expire as to 1/16 of the shares on a quarterly basis
     thereafter through February 2002.



 (7) Includes 450,000 shares subject to an option exercisable within 60 days of
     September 30, 1999. Of the shares included in the table, 1,125,000 shares
     are subject to a right of repurchase in favor of Webvan in the event that
     Mr. Holzman's employment with Webvan terminates. Such repurchase right
     expired as to 25% of the shares in September 1998 and will expire as to
     1/16th of the shares on a quarterly basis thereafter through September
     2001.



 (8) Includes 375,000 shares subject to an option exercisable within 60 days of
     September 30, 1999. Includes 525,000 shares held by Gary B. Dahl, Trustee
     of the Double D Trust Number One and 525,000 shares held by Gary B. Dahl,
     Trustee of the Double D Trust Number Two. Of the shares included in the
     table, 984,375 shares are subject to a right of repurchase in favor of
     Webvan in the event that Mr. Dahl's employment with Webvan terminates. Such
     repurchase right expired as to 25% of the shares in April 1998 and will
     expire as to 1/16th of the shares on a quarterly basis thereafter through
     April 2001.



 (9) Includes 75,000 shares subject to an option exercisable within 60 days of
     September 30, 1999. Includes 225,000 shares held by Mark Jeffrey Holtzman,
     Trustee of the Mark Holtzman 1999 Children's Trust and 225,000 shares held
     by Mark Jeffrey Holtzman, Trustee of the Marla Holtzman 1999 Children's
     Trust. Of the shares included in the table, 630,000 shares are subject to a
     right of repurchase in favor of Webvan in the event that Mr. Holtzman's
     employment with Webvan terminates. Such repurchase right expired as to 25%
     of the shares in July 1998 and will expire as to 1/16th of the shares on a
     quarterly basis thereafter through July 2001.



(10) Represents 136,892 shares issuable upon the exercise of options which are
     exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 1999. Does not include
     4,304,100 shares held by E*TRADE Group,


                                       58
<PAGE>   61

     Inc. Mr. Cotsakos is the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
     Executive Officer of E*TRADE Group, Inc. and disclaims beneficial ownership
     of such shares.

(11) Does not include 4,304,100 shares held by Yahoo!, Inc. Mr. Koogle is the
     Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Yahoo!, Inc. and
     disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.


(12) Includes an aggregate of 4,649,392 shares subject to an option exercisable
     within 60 days of September 30, 1999.


                                       59
<PAGE>   62

                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

GENERAL


     Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which will be filed prior to the
closing of this offering, authorizes the issuance of up to 800,000,000 shares of
common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $0.0001 per share, the rights and preferences of which may be
established by our Board of Directors. As of September 30, 1999, after giving
effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series A, B, C and D
preferred stock prior to the closing of this offering, 296,214,226 shares of
common stock were issued and outstanding and held by approximately 250
stockholders.


COMMON STOCK

     The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of
record upon such matters and in such manner as may be provided by law. Subject
to preferences applicable to any outstanding shares of preferred stock, the
holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably dividends, if any, as
may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for
dividend payments. In the event we liquidate, dissolve or wind up, the holders
of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after
payment of liabilities and liquidation preferences of any outstanding shares of
the preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no preemptive rights or rights
to convert their common stock into any other securities. There are no redemption
or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All outstanding
shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

PREFERRED STOCK

     Upon the closing of this offering, the Board of Directors will be
authorized, absent any limitations prescribed by law, without stockholder
approval, to issue up to an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
in one or more series, each of the series to have rights and preferences,
including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption
privileges and liquidation preferences, as shall be determined by the Board of
Directors. The rights of the holders of common stock will be subject to, and may
be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any preferred stock that may
be issued in the future. Issuance of preferred stock, while providing desirable
flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate
purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to
acquire, or of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire, a majority
of our outstanding voting stock. We have no present plans to issue any shares of
preferred stock.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

     Set forth below is a summary of the registration rights of the holders of
our Series A preferred stock, Series B preferred stock, Series C preferred stock
and Series D preferred stock each of which will convert into common stock
immediately prior to the consummation of this offering.

     Demand Registrations. At any time on or after the first to occur of October
29, 2000 or six months following the closing date of the initial public offering
of our common stock, the holders of registration rights may request us to
register shares of common stock having a gross offering price of at least $25
million subject to our right, upon advice of our underwriters, to reduce the
number of shares proposed to be registered. We will be obligated to effect only
three registrations pursuant to such a request by holders of registration
rights. If shares requested to be included in a registration must be excluded
due to limitations on the number of shares to be registered on behalf of the
selling shareholders pursuant to the underwriters' advice, the shares registered
on behalf of the selling shareholders will be allocated among all holders of
shares with rights to be included in the registration on the basis of the number
of shares with such rights held by such shareholders.

     Piggyback Registration Rights. The holders who have registration rights
have unlimited rights to request that shares be included in any
company-initiated registration of common stock other than registrations of
employee benefit plans or business combinations subject to Rule 145 under the

                                       60
<PAGE>   63

Securities Act. In our initial registration, the underwriters may, for marketing
reasons, exclude all or part of the shares requested to be registered on behalf
of all shareholders having the right to request inclusion in such registration.
In our subsequent registrations, the underwriters may, for marketing reasons,
limit the shares requested to be registered on behalf of all shareholders having
the right to request inclusion in such registration to not less than 30%. In
addition, we have the right to terminate any registration we initiated prior to
its effectiveness regardless of any request for inclusion by any stockholders.

     Form S-3 Registrations. After we have qualified for registration on Form
S-3 which will not be available until at least 12 months after we become a
publicly reporting company, holders of registration rights may request in
writing that we effect an unlimited number of registrations of such shares on
Form S-3 provided that the gross offering price of the shares to be so
registered in each such registration exceeds $1,000,000. If such registration is
to be an underwritten public offering, the underwriters may reduce for marketing
reasons the number of shares to be registered on behalf of all shareholders
having the right to request inclusion in such registration. We are not obligated
to effect a registration on Form S-3 prior to expiration of 180 days following
effectiveness of the most recent registration requested by the holders.

     Future Grants of Registration Rights. We cannot grant further registration
rights without the prior written consent of current stockholders owning at least
a majority of the then outstanding registrable securities, including grants to
any holder or prospective holder of any registration rights which would:

     - be on equal or more favorable terms than the existing registration
       rights;

     - cause a reduction in the amount of registrable securities held by current
       holders that would be registrable in a registration statement; or

     - require us to effect a registration earlier than the date current holders
       can first require a registration.

     Transferability. The registration rights are transferable upon notice by
the holder to us of the transfer, provided that the transferee or assignee is
not deemed by the Board of Directors to be a competitor of ours and assumes the
rights and obligations of the transferor for such shares.

     Termination. The registration rights will terminate on the first to occur
of five years after the date of our initial public offering or the date on which
the holder may sell the share pursuant to Rule 144, provided that the aggregate
of the shares held by the holder represent less than 1% of our then outstanding
equity securities.

WARRANTS


     At September 30, 1999, we had outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate
of 2,397,804 shares of our Series B preferred stock, which is convertible into
an equivalent number of shares of common stock. The weighted average exercise
price of the warrants is $0.91 per share. Any warrant may be exercised by
applying the value of a portion of the warrant, which is equal to the number of
shares issuable under the warrant being exercised multiplied by the fair market
value of the security receivable upon exercise of the warrant, less the per
share exercise price, in lieu of payment of the exercise price per share. The
warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2,233,572 shares expire in November 2005.
The warrant to purchase 164,232 shares expires in May 2008 or five years from
effective date of our initial public offering, whichever occurs first.


     In connection with our agreement with Bechtel Corporation, we issued to
Bechtel a warrant to purchase up to 1,800,000 shares at an exercise price of
$2.32 per share. The warrant expires in July 2004 and became exercisable as to
150,000 shares as of July 31, 1999. Bechtel exercised the warrant as to 150,000
shares in September 1999. The warrant generally becomes exercisable as to the
remaining shares as distribution centers are completed by Bechtel within agreed
upon schedule and budgetary parameters.

                                       61
<PAGE>   64

DELAWARE ANTI-TAKEOVER LAW AND OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAW
PROVISIONS

     Provisions of Delaware law and our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
could make more difficult our acquisition by a third party and the removal of
our incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below, are
expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids
and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of Webvan to first negotiate
with us. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our ability to
negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited acquisition
proposal outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals because,
among other things, negotiation could result in an improvement of their terms.

     We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
which regulates corporate acquisitions. In general, Section 203 prohibits a
publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination"
with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three years following the date
the person became an interested stockholder, unless:

     - the Board of Directors approved the transaction in which such stockholder
       became an interested stockholder prior to the date the interested
       stockholder attained such status;

     - upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder's
       becoming an interested stockholder, he or she owned at least 85% of the
       voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction
       commenced, excluding shares owned by persons who are directors and also
       officers; or

     - on or subsequent to such date the business combination is approved by the
       Board of Directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of
       stockholders.

     A "business combination" generally includes a merger, asset or stock sale,
or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested
stockholder. In general, an "interested stockholder" is a person who, together
with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the
determination of interested stockholder status, did own, 15% or more of a
corporation's voting stock.

     Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws do not provide for cumulative
voting in the election of directors. In addition, our Certificate of
Incorporation permits the Board of Directors to issue preferred stock with
voting or other rights without any stockholder action. Our Certificate of
Incorporation provides for the Board of Directors to be divided into three
classes, with staggered three-year terms. As a result, only one class of
directors will be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders. Each of the
two other classes of directors will continue to serve for the remainder of its
respective three-year term. These provisions, which require the vote of
stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding common stock to
amend, may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in
our management.

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

     The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services, L.L.C. The transfer agent's address and telephone number
is 235 Montgomery Street, 23rd Floor, San Francisco, California 94104 and (415)
743-1423.

                                       62
<PAGE>   65

                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

     Prior to this offering, there has been no market for our common stock.
Future sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the public market could
adversely affect prevailing market prices. As described below, no shares
currently outstanding will be available for sale immediately after this offering
because of contractual restrictions on resale. Sales of substantial amounts of
our common stock in the public market after the restrictions lapse or are
released could adversely affect the prevailing market price and impair our
ability to raise equity capital in the future.


     Upon completion of the offering, we will have 321,214,226 outstanding
shares of common stock. Of these shares, the 25,000,000 shares sold in the
offering, plus any shares issued upon exercise of the underwriters'
over-allotment option, will be freely tradable without restriction under the
Securities Act, unless purchased by our "affiliates" as that term is defined in
Rule 144 under the Securities Act. In general, affiliates include officers,
directors or 10% stockholders.



     The remaining 296,214,226 shares outstanding are "restricted securities"
within the meaning of Rule 144. Restricted securities may be sold in the public
market only if registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration
under Rules 144, 144(k) or 701 promulgated under the Securities Act, which are
summarized below. Sales of the restricted securities in the public market, or
the availability of such shares for sale, could adversely affect the market
price of the common stock.


     Our directors, officers and stockholders have entered into lock-up
agreements in connection with this offering generally providing that they will
not offer, sell, contract to sell or grant any option to purchase or otherwise
dispose of our common stock or any securities exercisable for or convertible
into our common stock without the prior written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
According to the lock-up agreements, at any time beginning on the third day
following the public release of our earnings for the year ended December 31,
1999, each stockholder may offer, sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise
dispose of up to 15% of his or her shares owned as of December 31, 1999; and at
any time beginning on the 48th day following the public release of our earnings
for the year ended December 31, 1999, each stockholder may offer, sell,
transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise dispose of an additional 25% of his or her
shares owned as of December 31, 1999. The lock-up restrictions will expire as to
the remaining shares on the date which is 180 days after the date of this
prospectus. Notwithstanding possible earlier eligibility for sale under the
provisions of Rules 144, 144(k) and 701, shares subject to lock-up agreements
will not be salable until such agreements expire or are waived by Goldman, Sachs
& Co. Taking into account the lock-up agreements, and assuming Goldman, Sachs &
Co. does not release stockholders from these agreements, the following shares
will be eligible for sale in the public market at the following times:

     - Beginning on the date of this prospectus, only the shares sold in the
       offering will be immediately available for sale in the public market.


     - Beginning on or about February 1, 2000 (the third business day following
       the public release of Webvan's earnings for the year ended December 31,
       1999), approximately 2.8 million shares will be freely tradeable pursuant
       to Rule 144(k), and an additional 38.0 million shares will be eligible
       for sale subject to volume limitations, as explained below, pursuant to
       Rules 144 and 701.



     - Beginning on or about March 16, 2000 (45 days following the initial
       lock-up expiration period), an additional 4.7 million shares will be
       freely tradeable pursuant to Rule 144(k), and an additional 63.5 million
       shares will be eligible for sale subject to volume limitations, as
       explained below, pursuant to Rules 144 and 701.



     - Beginning 180 days after the date of this prospectus, an additional 11.8
       million shares will be freely tradeable pursuant to Rule 144(k), and an
       additional 142.2 million shares will be eligible for sale subject to
       volume limitations, as explained below, pursuant to Rules 144 and 701.


                                       63
<PAGE>   66

     In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, after the expiration of
the lock-up agreements, a person who has beneficially owned restricted
securities for at least one year would be entitled to sell within any
three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:


     - one percent of the number of shares of common stock then outstanding
       which will equal approximately 3,212,142 shares immediately after the
       offering; or


     - the average weekly trading volume of the common stock during the four
       calendar weeks preceding the sale.

     Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to requirements with respect to
manner of sale, notice, and the availability of current public information about
us. Under Rule 144(k), a person who is not deemed to have been our affiliate and
any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially
owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least two years, is entitled to sell
such shares without complying with the manner of sale, public information,
volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144.

     Rule 701, as currently in effect, permits our employees, officers,
directors or consultants who purchased shares pursuant to a written compensatory
plan or contract to resell such shares in reliance upon Rule 144 but without
compliance with specific restrictions. Rule 701 provides that affiliates may
sell their Rule 701 shares under Rule 144 without complying with the holding
period requirement and that non-affiliates may sell such shares in reliance on
Rule 144 without complying with the holding period, public information, volume
limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144.


     In addition, we intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under
the Securities Act within 180 days following the date of this prospectus to
register shares to be issued pursuant to our employee benefit plans. As a
result, any options or rights exercised under the 1997 Stock Plan, the 1999
Employee Stock Purchase Plan or any other benefit plan after the effectiveness
of the registration statement will also be freely tradable in the public market.
However, such shares held by affiliates will still be subject to the volume
limitation, manner of sale, notice and public information requirements of Rule
144 unless otherwise resalable under Rule 701. As of September 30, 1999 there
were outstanding options for the purchase of approximately 60.7 million shares
of common stock, of which options to purchase approximately 5.5 million shares
were vested and exercisable.


                                 LEGAL MATTERS


     Legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon on
behalf of Webvan by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation,
Palo Alto, California. Jeffrey D. Saper, a member of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich &
Rosati, serves as our Secretary. Legal matters in connection with this offering
will be passed upon for the underwriters by Shearman & Sterling, Menlo Park,
California. As of the date of this prospectus, members of Wilson Sonsini
Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. and an investment partnership composed of current and
former members of and persons associated with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati,
P.C. beneficially owned an aggregate of 2,068,944 shares of common stock.


                                    EXPERTS

     The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 1997 and 1998 and
for the period from December 17, 1996 (date of inception) to December 31, 1997
and for the year ended December 31, 1998 included in this prospectus have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their
report appearing herein, and have been so included in reliance upon the report
of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                       64
<PAGE>   67

                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration
statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the common stock
offered in this offering. This prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and
schedule thereto. For further information with respect to Webvan and the common
stock offered in this offering, we refer you to the registration statement and
to the attached exhibits and schedules. Statements made in this prospectus
concerning the contents of any document referred to in this prospectus are not
necessarily complete. With respect to each such document filed as an exhibit to
the registration statement, we refer you to the exhibit for a more complete
description of the matter involved.

     The reports and other information we file with the SEC can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities that the SEC maintains at Room 1024,
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the SEC's regional
offices located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048,
and Suite 1400, Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago,
Illinois 60661. Copies of these materials can be obtained at prescribed rates
from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at the principal offices of the
SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information
regarding the operation of the public reference room by calling 1(800) SEC-0330.
The SEC also maintains a web site (http://www.sec.gov) that makes available the
reports and other information we have filed with the SEC.

                                       65
<PAGE>   68

                               WEBVAN GROUP, INC.
                                 AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

                       CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                     FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998,
             THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 17, 1996 (DATE OF INCEPTION)
                    TO DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND CUMULATIVE FROM
            DECEMBER 17, 1996 (DATE OF INCEPTION) TO MARCH 31, 1999
                        AND INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
Independent Auditors' Report................................   F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets.................................   F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive        F-4
  Loss......................................................
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity.............   F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.......................   F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................   F-7
</TABLE>

                                       F-1
<PAGE>   69

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Webvan Group, Inc.:

     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Webvan
Group, Inc. (formerly Intelligent Systems for Retail, Inc.) and subsidiary
(collectively, "Webvan") (a development stage company) as of December 31, 1998
and 1997, and the related consolidated statements of operations and
comprehensive loss, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the year ended
December 31, 1998 and for the period from December 17, 1996 (date of inception)
to December 31, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of
Webvan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.

     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Webvan at December 31, 1998 and
1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for periods stated
above, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP


San Jose, California
March 5, 1999

(August 5, 1999 as to the second sentence of Note 1 and as to Note 15 and
September 21, 1999 as to the first paragraph of Note 7)




                                       F-2
<PAGE>   70

                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,                     PRO FORMA
                                                              ------------------    JUNE 30,      JUNE 30,
                                                               1997       1998        1999          1999
                                                              -------   --------   -----------   -----------
                                                                                   (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>        <C>           <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets:
  Cash and equivalents......................................  $ 2,935   $ 13,839    $ 21,836
  Marketable securities.....................................    5,043      7,728      22,231
  Inventories...............................................       --         --         596
  Related party receivable..................................       --         --         847
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets.................        5        114       3,294
                                                              -------   --------    --------
         Total current assets...............................    7,983     21,681      48,804
Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, Net.........      208     32,624      56,186
Loan Fees, Net..............................................       --      2,000       1,713
Investments.................................................       --        518       1,018
Deposits....................................................       88      1,418       1,255
Restricted Cash.............................................       --      1,768       3,453
                                                              -------   --------    --------
Total Assets................................................  $ 8,279   $ 60,009    $112,429
                                                              =======   ========    ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................  $   172   $  6,815    $  7,230
  Accrued liabilities.......................................      118        706       5,813
  Current portion capital lease obligations.................       --        133         621
  Current portion long-term debt............................       --      3,104       3,367
                                                              -------   --------    --------
         Total current liabilities..........................      290     10,758      17,031
                                                              -------   --------    --------
Deferred Rent...............................................       17        107         268
Capital Lease Obligations...................................       --        637       2,137
Long-Term Debt..............................................       --     13,593      11,811
                                                              -------   --------    --------
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 6 and 11)..............       --         --          --
Redeemable Common Stock.....................................       --      1,302       1,556
Shareholders' Equity
  Series A preferred stock, no par value; 112,635 shares
    authorized; 112,583, 112,635, 112,635 shares and none
    issued and outstanding at December 31, 1997, 1998, June
    30, 1999 and pro forma, respectively; (liquidation
    preferences of $10,789, $10,794 and $10,794 at December
    31, 1997, 1998 and June 30, 1999, respectively).........   10,754     10,759      10,759      $     --
  Series B preferred stock, no par value; 41,814 shares
    authorized; 39,101 and 39,113 shares and none issued and
    outstanding; liquidation preference of $35,713 and
    $35,724 at December 31, 1998, June 30, 1999 and pro
    forma, respectively.....................................       --     34,823      34,834            --
  Series C preferred stock, no par value; 32,341 shares
    authorized; 32,341 shares and none issued and
    outstanding June 30, 1999 and pro forma; liquidation
    preference of $75,000...................................       --         --      72,776            --
  Restricted common stock, no par value; 360,000 shares
    authorized; 64,394, 78,590, 81,909 and 265,998 issued
    and outstanding at December 31, 1997, 1998, June 30,
    1999 and pro forma, respectively........................       58     11,921      31,251       149,620
  Additional paid-in capital................................       --      1,686       3,829         3,829
  Deferred compensation.....................................       --    (10,737)    (23,790)      (23,790)
  Deficit accumulated during the development stage..........   (2,840)   (14,844)    (49,978)      (49,978)
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).............       --          4         (55)          (55)
                                                              -------   --------    --------      --------
         Total shareholders' equity.........................    7,972     33,612      79,626      $ 79,626
                                                              -------   --------    --------      ========
         Total..............................................  $ 8,279   $ 60,009    $112,429
                                                              =======   ========    ========
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   71

                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              PERIOD FROM                                                  CUMULATIVE
                              DECEMBER 17,                                                    FROM
                             1996 (DATE OF                                                DECEMBER 17,
                             INCORPORATION)                         SIX MONTHS           1996 (DATE OF
                                   TO          YEAR ENDED         ENDED JUNE 30,         INCORPORATION)
                              DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,   -------------------------    TO JUNE 30,
                                  1997            1998          1998          1999            1999
                             --------------   ------------   -----------   -----------   --------------
                                                             (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)    (UNAUDITED)
<S>                          <C>              <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>
Net Sales..................     $    --         $     --       $    --      $    395        $    395
Cost of Goods Sold.........          --               --            --           419             419
                                -------         --------       -------      --------        --------
Gross Profit (Loss)........          --               --            --           (24)            (24)
                                -------         --------       -------      --------        --------
Software Development
  Expenses.................         244            3,010           765         6,308           9,562
General and Administrative
  Expenses.................       2,612            8,825         2,739        25,296          36,733
Amortization of Deferred
  Stock Compensation.......          --            1,060            43         3,953           5,013
                                -------         --------       -------      --------        --------
          Total Expenses...       2,856           12,895         3,547        35,557          51,038
                                -------         --------       -------      --------        --------
Interest Income............          85              923           285         1,641           2,649
Interest Expense...........          69               32            --         1,194           1,295
                                -------         --------       -------      --------        --------
Net Interest Income........          16              891           285           447           1,354
                                -------         --------       -------      --------        --------
Net Loss...................      (2,840)         (12,004)       (3,262)      (35,134)        (49,978)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
  Marketable Securities....          --                4            (2)          (59)            (55)
                                -------         --------       -------      --------        --------
Comprehensive Loss.........     $(2,840)        $(12,000)      $(3,264)     $(35,193)       $(50,033)
                                =======         ========       =======      ========        ========
Basic and Diluted Net Loss
  Per Share (Note 10)......     $ (0.08)        $  (0.18)      $ (0.05)     $  (0.48)       $  (0.89)
                                =======         ========       =======      ========        ========
Shares Used in Calculating
  Basic and Diluted Net
  Loss Per Share (Note
  10)......................      37,407           67,114        65,075        73,280          56,221
                                =======         ========       =======      ========        ========
Pro Forma Basic and Diluted
  Net Loss Per Share.......                     $  (0.06)                   $  (0.14)
                                                ========                    ========
Shares Used in Calculating
  Pro Forma Basic and
  Diluted Net Loss Per
  Share....................                      201,978                     253,743
                                                ========                    ========
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       F-4
<PAGE>   72

                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            CONVERTIBLE            CONVERTIBLE            CONVERTIBLE
                                             SERIES A                SERIES B               SERIES C              RESTRICTED
                                          PREFERRED STOCK        PREFERRED STOCK        PREFERRED STOCK          COMMON STOCK
                                       ---------------------   --------------------   --------------------   --------------------
                                         SHARES      AMOUNT      SHARES     AMOUNT      SHARES     AMOUNT      SHARES     AMOUNT
                                       -----------   -------   ----------   -------   ----------   -------   ----------   -------
<S>                                    <C>           <C>       <C>          <C>       <C>          <C>       <C>          <C>
Issuance of Series A preferred, net
 of $35 issuance costs, October
 1997................................  112,582,992   $10,754           --   $   --            --   $   --            --   $   --
Issuance of restricted common stock,
 April through September 1997........                                                                        64,380,972       53
Common stock issued for services,
 December 1997.......................                                                                            13,500        5
Net loss.............................
                                       -----------   -------   ----------   -------   ----------   -------   ----------   -------
BALANCES, December 31, 1997..........  112,582,992   10,754            --       --            --       --    64,394,472       58
Issuance of Series A preferred,
 January 1998........................       52,176        5
Issuance of Series B preferred, net
 of $890 issuance costs, May through
 September 1998......................                          39,101,304   34,823
Series B preferred warrants granted
 for debt, May 1998..................
Exercise of options during 1998......                                                                        14,195,250       66
Options granted for services,
 September and November 1998.........
Deferred Compensation................                                                                                     11,797
Amortization of deferred
 compensation........................
Accumulated other comprehensive
 income..............................
Net loss.............................
                                       -----------   -------   ----------   -------   ----------   -------   ----------   -------
BALANCES, December 31, 1998..........  112,635,168   10,759    39,101,304   34,823            --       --    78,589,722   11,921
Issuance of Series B preferred,
 January 1999*.......................                              12,000       11
Issuance of Series C preferred, net
 of issuance costs of $2,363, January
 through April 1999*.................                                                 32,341,200   72,776
Exercise of stock options during
 1999*...............................                                                                         2,868,840       76
Issuance of restricted common stock,
 June 1999*..........................                                                                           450,000    2,248
Issuance of warrant, June 1999*......
Deferred Compensation*...............                                                                                     17,006
Amortization of deferred
 compensation*.......................
Accumulated other comprehensive
 loss*...............................
Net loss*............................
                                       -----------   -------   ----------   -------   ----------   -------   ----------   -------
BALANCES, June 30, 1999 *............  112,635,168   $10,759   39,113,304   $34,834   32,341,200   $72,776   81,908,562   $31,251
                                       ===========   =======   ==========   =======   ==========   =======   ==========   =======

<CAPTION>
                                                                     DEFICIT
                                                                   ACCUMULATED    ACCUMULATED
                                       ADDITIONAL                  DURING THE        OTHER           TOTAL
                                        PAID-IN       DEFERRED     DEVELOPMENT   COMPREHENSIVE   SHAREHOLDERS'
                                        CAPITAL     COMPENSATION      STAGE      INCOME (LOSS)      EQUITY
                                       ----------   ------------   -----------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>            <C>           <C>             <C>
Issuance of Series A preferred, net
 of $35 issuance costs, October
 1997................................    $   --       $     --      $     --         $ --          $ 10,754
Issuance of restricted common stock,
 April through September 1997........                                                                    53
Common stock issued for services,
 December 1997.......................                                                                     5
Net loss.............................                                 (2,840)                        (2,840)
                                         ------       --------      --------         ----          --------
BALANCES, December 31, 1997..........        --             --        (2,840)          --             7,972
Issuance of Series A preferred,
 January 1998........................                                                                     5
Issuance of Series B preferred, net
 of $890 issuance costs, May through
 September 1998......................                                                                34,823
Series B preferred warrants granted
 for debt, May 1998..................     1,679                                                       1,679
Exercise of options during 1998......                                                                    66
Options granted for services,
 September and November 1998.........         7                                                           7
Deferred Compensation................                  (11,797)                                          --
Amortization of deferred
 compensation........................                    1,060                                        1,060
Accumulated other comprehensive
 income..............................                                                   4                 4
Net loss.............................                                (12,004)                       (12,004)
                                         ------       --------      --------         ----          --------
BALANCES, December 31, 1998..........     1,686        (10,737)      (14,844)           4            33,612
Issuance of Series B preferred,
 January 1999*.......................                                                                    11
Issuance of Series C preferred, net
 of issuance costs of $2,363, January
 through April 1999*.................                                                                72,776
Exercise of stock options during
 1999*...............................                                                                    76
Issuance of restricted common stock,
 June 1999*..........................                                                                 2,248
Issuance of warrant, June 1999*......     2,143                                                       2,143
Deferred Compensation*...............                  (17,006)                                          --
Amortization of deferred
 compensation*.......................                    3,953                                        3,953
Accumulated other comprehensive
 loss*...............................                                                 (59)              (59)
Net loss*............................                                (35,134)                       (35,134)
                                         ------       --------      --------         ----          --------
BALANCES, June 30, 1999 *............    $3,829       $(23,790)     $(49,978)        $(55)         $ 79,626
                                         ======       ========      ========         ====          ========
</TABLE>


- ---------------
* Unaudited

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       F-5
<PAGE>   73

                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      PERIOD FROM                                                 CUMULATIVE FROM
                                                     DECEMBER 17,                                                  DECEMBER 17,
                                                     1996 (DATE OF                        SIX MONTHS ENDED         1996 (DATE OF
                                                   INCORPORATION) TO    YEAR ENDED            JUNE 30,            INCORPORATION)
                                                     DECEMBER 31,      DECEMBER 31,   -------------------------     TO JUNE 30,
                                                         1997              1998          1998          1999            1999
                                                   -----------------   ------------   -----------   -----------   ---------------
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)     (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                <C>                 <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
  Net loss.......................................       $(2,840)         $(12,004)     $ (3,262)     $(35,134)       $(49,978)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
    used in operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization................            57               263            50         2,673           2,993
    Accretion on redeemable common stock.........            --             1,242           564           254           1,496
    Amortization of deferred stock
      compensation...............................            --             1,060            43         3,953           5,013
    Stock and stock options issued for
      services...................................            95                 7            --            --             102
    Noncash stock compensation...................            --                --            --         1,640           1,640
    Issuance of warrant..........................            --                --            --         2,143           2,143
    Undistributed income on short-term
      investments................................           (47)               --            --            --             (47)
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Inventories................................            --                --            --          (596)           (596)
      Prepaid expenses and other current
        assets...................................            (5)             (109)       (1,671)       (3,180)         (3,294)
      Accounts payable...........................           172             6,643         1,942           415           7,230
      Accrued liabilities........................           118               588         1,162         5,107           5,813
      Deferred rent..............................            17                90             3           161             268
                                                        -------          --------      --------      --------        --------
        Net cash used in operating activities....        (2,433)           (2,220)       (1,169)      (22,564)        (27,217)
                                                        -------          --------      --------      --------        --------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
  Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold
    improvements.................................          (265)          (32,669)       (4,283)      (25,948)        (58,882)
  (Purchases) sale of marketable securities......        (4,996)           (2,681)          992       (14,562)        (22,239)
  Purchase of investments........................            --              (518)           --          (500)         (1,018)
  Related party receivable.......................            --                --            --          (200)           (200)
  Deposits.......................................           (88)           (1,330)         (212)          163          (1,255)
  Restricted cash................................            --            (1,768)         (950)       (1,685)         (3,453)
                                                        -------          --------      --------      --------        --------
        Net cash used in investing activities....        (5,349)          (38,966)       (4,453)      (42,732)        (87,047)
                                                        -------          --------      --------      --------        --------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
  Proceeds from shareholder loans................         2,038                --            --            --           2,038
  Repayment of shareholder loans.................        (2,038)               --            --            --          (2,038)
  Proceeds from long-term debt...................            --            17,168            --            --          17,168
  Repayment of long-term debt....................            --              (471)           --        (1,519)         (1,990)
  Proceeds from capital lease financing..........            --               794            50         2,200           2,994
  Repayment of capital lease obligations.........            --               (32)           --          (212)           (244)
  Loan fees capitalized..........................            --              (323)           --            --            (323)
  Net proceeds from Series A preferred stock.....        10,664                 5            --            --          10,669
  Net proceeds from Series B preferred stock.....            --            34,823        34,328            11          34,834
  Net proceeds from Series C preferred stock.....            --                --            --        72,776          72,776
  Proceeds from restricted common stock issued...            53                78           161            37             168
  Proceeds from redeemable common stock issued...            --                48            --            --              48
                                                        -------          --------      --------      --------        --------
        Net cash provided by financing
          activities.............................        10,717            52,090        34,539        73,293         136,100
                                                        -------          --------      --------      --------        --------
Net Increase in Cash and Equivalents.............         2,935            10,904        28,917         7,997          21,836
Cash and Equivalents, Beginning of period........            --             2,935         2,935        13,839              --
                                                        -------          --------      --------      --------        --------
Cash and Equivalents, End of period..............       $ 2,935          $ 13,839      $ 31,852      $ 21,836        $ 21,836
                                                        =======          ========      ========      ========        ========
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
  Interest paid..................................       $    69          $     32      $     --      $     28        $    129
                                                        =======          ========      ========      ========        ========
  Income taxes paid..............................       $     1          $      1      $     --      $     --        $      2
                                                        =======          ========      ========      ========        ========
  Restricted common stock issued for short-term
    receivables..................................       $    --          $     --      $     --      $    647        $    647
                                                        =======          ========      ========      ========        ========
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       F-6
<PAGE>   74

                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
                        AND JUNE 30, 1999 IS UNAUDITED)

1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     ORGANIZATION -- Webvan Group, Inc., formerly Intelligent Systems for
Retail, Inc., and subsidiary (a development stage company) (collectively,
"Webvan") was incorporated in California on December 17, 1996. On April 21,
1999, Intelligent Systems for Retail, Inc. changed its name to Webvan Group,
Inc. Webvan will be an Internet-based service provider offering an array of
groceries, home meal replacements, drugstore items and other merchandise.
Presently, Webvan continues in the process of developing its system software,
the completion of its initial distribution center, and its internet "Webstore".
Webvan began selling and delivering products on an initial test basis during the
first quarter of 1999.

     On March 26, 1998, Webvan formed a wholly-owned subsidiary Webvan -- Bay
Area, Inc. ("WBA"). WBA represents Webvan's distribution center and cross
docking stations that will provide the internet-based retail service and home
delivery.

     As of June 30, 1999, Webvan was a development stage company. Successful
completion of the Company's development program and, ultimately, the attainment
of profitable operations is dependent upon future events, including obtaining
adequate financing to fulfill its development activities, increasing its
customer base, implementing and successfully executing its business and
marketing strategy, continuing to develop and enhance its Webstore fulfillment
transactions and hiring quality personnel.

     CONSOLIDATION -- The accompanying consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of Webvan and its wholly-owned subsidiary, WBA. All significant
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated
financial statements.

     USE OF ESTIMATES -- The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

     CASH EQUIVALENTS -- Webvan considers all highly liquid instruments acquired
with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash
equivalents. The recorded carrying amounts of the Company's cash equivalents
approximate to their fair market value due to their highly liquid nature.

     MARKETABLE SECURITIES -- Webvan considers all investments with a maturity
of more than three months but less than one year when purchased and investments
to be sold within one year to be short-term and available for sale.

     RELATED PARTY RECEIVABLE -- In March 1999, the Company loaned an officer
$200,000 to be used towards the purchase of a house. The loan is interest free
and is due on the earlier of 15 days after the sale of the officer's previous
residence or March 1, 2000.

     RESTRICTED CASH -- During 1998, Webvan entered into lease and credit card
merchant bank service agreements which required Webvan to hold three standby
letters of credit. The letters of credit require Webvan to maintain certain
balances on deposit which restricts the use of cash and equivalents. See Note 5
for the amounts of these deposits. These agreements expire at various dates
ranging from 1999 through 2007.

                                       F-7
<PAGE>   75
                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
                        AND JUNE 30, 1999 IS UNAUDITED)

     CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK -- Financial instruments that potentially
subject Webvan to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash,
cash equivalents and short-term investments to the extent these exceed federal
insurance limits. Risks associated with cash, cash equivalents and marketable
securities are mitigated by banking with and purchasing commercial paper, market
auction preferred stock, corporate notes, and corporate bonds from credit-worthy
institutions.

     PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS -- Property, equipment and
leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and
amortization. Depreciation is taken on assets placed into service using the
straight-line method over estimated useful lives of three to five years.
Leasehold improvements are amortized, using the straight-line method, over the
shorter of the lease term or the useful lives of the improvements.

     The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 121,
"Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to
be Disposed of". The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets
whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset
may not be recoverable. No such impairments have been identified to date.

     LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS -- are recorded under the cost method of accounting
(Note 2).

     LOAN FEES -- Webvan capitalizes loan and capital lease origination fees,
including the fair value of warrants and amortizes them over the life of the
related obligations.

     REDEEMABLE COMMON STOCK -- Redeemable common stock represents common stock
sold to employees who have put rights. The put rights allow the shareholders to
sell to the Company, at a price of $0.3658 per share, 2,871,000 shares of common
stock after February 1999, and an additional 1,914,000 shares of common stock
after February 2000. Redeemable common stock was originally recorded at its
$0.0125 fair value as determined by the board of directors, and is being
accreted to the redemption amounts as compensation expense over the period the
put rights become exercisable. These rights expire in March 2000.

     INCOME TAXES -- Income taxes are provided at current rates. Deferred income
taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and amounts
used for income tax purposes.

     STOCK OPTIONS -- As permitted by SFAS No. 123, Webvan accounts for stock
options to employees using the intrinsic value method in accordance with
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees." As required by SFAS No. 123, the pro forma impact on earnings and
earnings per share resulting from the fair value method is disclosed in Note 8.

     REVENUE RECOGNITION -- The Company recognizes revenues from product sales
and delivery, net of returns and discounts, when the products are delivered to
customers.

     NET LOSS PER SHARE -- Basic net loss per share excludes dilution and is
computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding for the period (excluding shares subject to repurchase). Diluted net
loss per common share was the same as basic net loss per common share for all
periods presented since the effect of any potentially dilutive securities is
excluded as they are anti-dilutive because of Webvan's net losses.

     UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION -- The interim financial
information as of June 30, 1999 and for the six months ended June 30, 1998 and
1999 and for the cumulative period from

                                       F-8
<PAGE>   76
                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
                        AND JUNE 30, 1999 IS UNAUDITED)

December 17, 1996 (date of inception) through June 30, 1999 is unaudited and has
been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements. In the
opinion of management, such unaudited financial information includes all
adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a
fair presentation of the interim information. Operating results for the six
months ended June 30, 1999 are not necessarily indicative of the results that
may be expected for the year ending December 31, 1999.

     PRO FORMA NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE -- Pro forma basic and diluted net loss
per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number
of common shares outstanding for the period (excluding shares subject to
repurchase) plus the weighted average number of common shares resulting from the
automatic conversion of outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock, which
will occur upon the closing of the planned initial public offering.

     UNAUDITED PRO FORMA INFORMATION -- Upon the closing of the planned initial
public offering, each of the outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock
will convert into one share of common stock. The pro forma balance sheet
presents Webvan's balance sheet as if this had occurred at June 30, 1999.

     RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS -- In June 1997, the Financial
Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") adopted SFAS No. 130 "Reporting
Comprehensive Income," which requires an enterprise to report, by major
components and as a single total, the change in net assets during the period
from non owner sources. Webvan adopted this statement during the year ended
December 31, 1998.

     In February 1998, the FASB adopted SFAS No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures
About Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits, an Amendment of FASB
Statements No. 87, 88, and 106," which revises employers' disclosures about
pension and other postretirement benefit plans. This statement does not change
the measurement or recognition of those plans, but standardizes the disclosure
requirements for pensions and other postretirement benefits to the extent
practicable, requires additional information on changes in the benefit
obligations and fair values of plan assets that will facilitate financial
analysis, and eliminates certain disclosures. Webvan adopted this statement
during the year ended December 31, 1998.

     In March 1998, the Accounting Standards Committee of the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA") issued Statement of Position ("SOP")
98-1, "Accounting for Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for
Internal Use." SOP 98-1 provides guidance for an enterprise on accounting for
the costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use. Webvan
adopted this statement during the year ended December 31, 1998 and has
capitalized software costs according to the provisions of the standard. These
costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the
software once it is placed into service.

     In April 1998, the AICPA issued SOP 98-5, "Reporting on the Costs of
Start-Up Activities", which requires companies to expense the costs of start-up
activities and organization costs as incurred. Webvan adopted this statement
during the year ended December 31, 1998, and such adoption did not affect the
accompanying financial statements.

     In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities" which defines derivatives, requires that all
derivatives be carried at fair value, and provides for hedging accounting when
certain conditions are met. Webvan will adopt this statement

                                       F-9
<PAGE>   77
                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
                        AND JUNE 30, 1999 IS UNAUDITED)

for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2000. Management has not fully assessed
the implications of adopting this new standard.

2. INVESTMENTS

     On November 24, 1998, an agreement was signed between an equipment
manufacturer and Webvan. The agreement set out the terms for Webvan to acquire
1,000 shares of such equipment manufacturer for a total amount of $1,000,000
which represents a less than 10% interest in the manufacturer. Investments are
recorded at cost as fair market value is not readily determinable. Long-term
investments principally include $500,000 paid for such shares in December 1998.
Webvan paid the additional $500,000 for such shares in January 1999 to complete
this transaction.

3. MARKETABLE SECURITIES

     The fair value of marketable securities at June 30, 1999 (unaudited), and
at December 31, 1998 and 1997 are presented below. Fair values are based on
quoted market prices. The Company's marketable securities are classified as
available-for-sale, as the Company intends to sell them as needed for
operations. Balances at year-end consist of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 JUNE 30, 1999
                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
                                                     -------------------------------------
                                                                   UNREALIZED
                                                     AMORTIZED     GAIN (LOSS)     MARKET
                                                       COST       ON INVESTMENT     VALUE
                                                     ---------    -------------    -------
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>              <C>
Money market funds.................................   $     8         $ --         $     8
Commercial paper...................................    36,129          (12)         36,117
Foreign debt securities............................     1,638           (6)          1,632
Corporate notes....................................     6,346          (36)          6,310
                                                      -------         ----         -------
          Total....................................    44,121          (54)         44,067
Less amounts included in cash and equivalents......    21,843           (7)         21,836
                                                      -------         ----         -------
                                                      $22,278         $(47)        $22,231
                                                      =======         ====         =======
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31, 1998
                                                        ----------------------------------
                                                                     UNREALIZED
                                                        AMORTIZED     GAIN ON      MARKET
                                                          COST       INVESTMENT     VALUE
                                                        ---------    ----------    -------
<S>                                                     <C>          <C>           <C>
Money market funds....................................   $    27         $--       $    27
Commercial paper......................................     9,781          3          9,784
Commercial notes......................................     3,164          1          3,165
Commercial bonds......................................     1,285         --          1,285
Market auction preferred..............................     7,306         --          7,306
                                                         -------         --        -------
          Total.......................................    21,563          4         21,567
Less amounts included in cash and equivalents.........    13,837          2         13,839
                                                         -------         --        -------
                                                         $ 7,726         $2        $ 7,728
                                                         =======         ==        =======
</TABLE>

                                      F-10
<PAGE>   78
                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
                        AND JUNE 30, 1999 IS UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                                  1997
                                                              ------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Money market funds..........................................     $   44
Commercial paper............................................      7,859
                                                                 ------
          Total at cost which approximates market...........      7,903
Less amounts included in cash and equivalents...............      2,860
                                                                 ------
                                                                 $5,043
                                                                 ======
</TABLE>

4. PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS

     Property, equipment and leasehold improvements at December 31, 1997, 1998
and June 30, 1999 consists of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                            ---------------     JUNE 30,
                                                            1997     1998         1999
                                                            ----    -------    -----------
                                                                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                         <C>     <C>        <C>
Computer equipment and software...........................  $121    $ 2,284      $ 8,917
Machinery and equipment...................................     3      2,026       18,742
Leasehold improvements....................................    32        407       19,195
Furniture and fixtures....................................   109        287          625
                                                            ----    -------      -------
                                                             265      5,004       47,479
Accumulated depreciation and amortization.................   (57)      (310)      (2,696)
                                                            ----    -------      -------
                                                             208      4,694       44,783
Construction in progress..................................    --     27,930       11,403
                                                            ----    -------      -------
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net.......  $208    $32,624      $56,186
                                                            ====    =======      =======
</TABLE>

     Equipment under capital leases amounted to $794,000 at 1998. Accumulated
amortization on capital leases as of December 31, 1998 was $72,155.

     Construction in progress includes costs incurred in the construction of
Webvan's distribution center located in Oakland. Such costs include the purchase
and installation of materials handling equipment, refrigeration and freezer
storage units. Webvan retains up to ten percent on all construction contracts in
process until final settlement of such contracts.

     During the first six months of 1999, $2.2 million of computer equipment and
software was financed with capital leases.

                                      F-11
<PAGE>   79
                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
                        AND JUNE 30, 1999 IS UNAUDITED)

5. DEPOSITS

     Deposits consist of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 31,     JUNE 30,
                                                                  1998           1999
                                                              ------------    -----------
                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>
Software licenses...........................................     $  899         $   --
Payroll service provider....................................        329            436
Real property leases........................................        178            807
Other.......................................................         12             12
                                                                 ------         ------
                                                                 $1,418         $1,255
                                                                 ======         ======
</TABLE>

6. BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS

     In December 1998, WBA entered into a $17,000,000 loan and security
agreement. The loan is payable in $472,000 monthly installments from January
1999 through June 2002 with an additional $2,550,000 payment of the remaining
balance payable in June 2002. Based upon this repayment schedule, the imputed
interest on this loan is 15.2%. The loan is secured by substantially all the
assets of Webvan.

     Related to the above financing, Webvan issued warrants to the lenders to
purchase an aggregate of 2,233,578 shares of Series B preferred stock at an
exercise price of $0.91 per share. The fair value of the warrants at the date
granted was $1,564,000 and was capitalized with loan fees (see Note 9). Webvan
also paid $323,000 in loan fees. The loan fees are being amortized over the 42
month term of the loan.

     As part of an operating lease the landlord agreed to finance $168,340 of
improvements. The loan is payable in monthly installments including interest at
11% from January 1, 1999 through July 2003.

     Future principal maturities under loan agreements as of December 31, 1998
are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        YEAR ENDING
                        DECEMBER 31,
                        ------------
<S>                                                           <C>
  1999......................................................  $ 3,104
  2000......................................................    3,909
  2001......................................................    4,545
  2002......................................................    5,113
  2003......................................................       26
                                                              -------
                                                               16,697
Less current maturities.....................................    3,104
                                                              -------
                                                              $13,593
                                                              =======
</TABLE>

CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS

     In March 1998, Webvan entered into a $3,000,000 nonrevolving master lease
agreement. The agreement specifies equipment which Webvan can purchase prior to
March 23, 1999 under the lease agreement. As of December 31, 1998, $2,230,000
was available for future financing, and obligations

                                      F-12
<PAGE>   80
                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
                        AND JUNE 30, 1999 IS UNAUDITED)

outstanding totaled $770,000. As part of the leasing arrangement, warrants for
164,226 shares of Series B preferred stock were granted to the provider at an
exercise price of $0.91 per share. The $115,000 fair value of the warrants at
the date granted has been capitalized with loan fees and is being amortized over
the 60 month term of the leases (see Note 9).

     Future lease payments under the lease agreement as of December 31, 1998 are
as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        YEAR ENDING
                        DECEMBER 31,
                        ------------
<S>                                                           <C>
  1999......................................................  $  241
  2000......................................................     241
  2001......................................................     240
  2002......................................................     232
  2003......................................................      59
                                                              ------
Total future lease payments.................................   1,013
Less portion relating to interest...........................     243
                                                              ------
Total capital lease obligations.............................     770
Less current portion........................................     133
                                                              ------
Total long-term portion.....................................  $  637
                                                              ======
</TABLE>

7. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

STOCK SPLITS

     In March 1998, January 1999, July 1999 and September 1999, the Company
effected two-for-one, two-for-one, two-for-one and three-for-two stock splits,
respectively, on the then outstanding shares, warrants and options. The splits
have been retroactively reflected in the financial statements and notes to the
financial statements.

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

     Significant terms of outstanding Series A and B preferred stock are as
follows:

     - In the event of liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of Webvan, the
       holders of Series A and Series B preferred stock are entitled to receive
       $0.0958 and $0.91 per share (subject to adjustment for stock splits and
       like events), respectively, plus any declared but unpaid dividends prior
       to any distribution to the common shareholders. After the preferred
       shareholders have received payment, any remaining assets would be shared
       by all preferred and common shareholders on a pro rata basis.

     - Each share of preferred stock is convertible at the option of the holder
       into one share of common stock (subject to adjustments for stock splits
       and like events). Shares will automatically be converted upon an
       underwritten initial public offering (IPO) of Webvan's common shares
       meeting certain criteria.

     - Each share of preferred stock has voting rights equivalent to the number
       of shares of common stock into which it is convertible. In addition, for
       so long as there are outstanding at least 12,000,000 shares in the case
       of the Series A preferred stock, and 12,000,000 shares in the

                                      F-13
<PAGE>   81
                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
                        AND JUNE 30, 1999 IS UNAUDITED)

       case of the Series B preferred stock, the holders of each of the Series A
       preferred stock and Series B preferred stock shall be entitled to approve
       amendments to the articles of incorporation, approve the payment or
       declaration of dividends, approve the merger or consolidation of Webvan,
       approve the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the
       Company, and approve other actions specified in the articles of
       incorporation. In addition, for so long as there are at least 12,000,000
       shares of Series A preferred stock outstanding, the holders of the Series
       A preferred stock shall be entitled to nominate and elect two directors.

     - Dividends may be declared at the discretion of the Board of Directors and
       are non-cumulative. Dividends of $0.0067 per share on Series A preferred
       stock and $0.0617 on Series B preferred stock (as adjusted for any stock
       splits or like events) must be declared and paid before payment of any
       common stock dividends.

     - Prior to the sale of any shares in a subsequent stock offering, the
       existing preferred shareholders shall have a right of first refusal to
       purchase the shares, subject to certain exceptions. In addition, upon
       written notice of a sale of preferred shares by Webvan's founder, each
       shareholder has the right to sell its co-sale pro rata share of the
       shares proposed to be sold. These provisions expire upon an initial
       public offering.

PREFERRED STOCK -- SERIES C

     On January 21, 1999, Webvan authorized the sale and issuance of up to
32,341,200 shares of its Series C preferred stock at a purchase price of $2.32
per share. As of June 30, 1999, Webvan had issued 32,341,200 shares of Series C
preferred stock. The actual cash proceeds, net of $2 million of issuance costs,
amounted to $73 million.

RESTRICTED COMMON STOCK

     At December 31, 1998, Webvan had 360,000,000 authorized shares of common
stock of which 78,589,722 were issued and outstanding. At December 31, 1998,
Webvan had reserved shares of common stock for issuance as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                              --------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Issuance under stock options plan...........................      46,010
Issuance upon conversion of Series A preferred stock........     112,635
Issuance upon conversion of Series B preferred stock........      41,814
                                                                 -------
Total shares reserved.......................................     200,459
                                                                 =======
</TABLE>

     Significant terms of the restricted common stock are as follows:

     - In the event that the continuous status of an employee, consultant or
       director of Webvan terminates for any reason, Webvan shall upon the date
       of such termination have an irrevocable right for a period of 90 days
       from such termination date to repurchase any unreleased (unvested) shares
       at the original purchase price.

     - The shares shall be released from the repurchase option immediately
       (i.e., fully vested) or over a three-year period depending on the
       specific terms of the agreement and the parties involved. As of December
       31, 1998, 66,000,000 shares (see Note 8) were subject to repurchase under
       the applicable restricted stock purchase agreements.

                                      F-14
<PAGE>   82
                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
                        AND JUNE 30, 1999 IS UNAUDITED)

     - Prior to the sale of any common shares owned by certain shareholders,
       Webvan shall have a right of first refusal to purchase the shares. These
       rights shall terminate upon the closing of an IPO, a sale of all or
       substantially all the assets of Webvan, or a merger.

     - In connection with a possible IPO, the shareholders agree not to sell any
       shares without the prior written consent of Webvan or the underwriters
       managing the IPO for up to 180 days from the effective date of such
       registration.

     - Each share of common stock issued and outstanding shall have one vote.

8. STOCK OPTION PLAN

     On September 17, 1997, Webvan adopted the 1997 Stock Plan (the Plan) and
reserved 30,000,000 shares of Webvan's common stock for issuance under the Plan,
which expires on September 17, 2007. Options are granted at fair market value at
the date of grant as determined by the Board of Directors. As provided for in
the Plan, incentive and non-statutory stock options may be granted to employees,
officers, directors or consultants. Incentive options may only be granted to
employees and at an exercise price of no less than fair value on the date of
grant. Non-statutory options may be granted at an exercise price of no less than
85% of fair value. For owners of more than 10% of Webvan's stock, options may
only be granted for an exercise price of no less than 110% of fair value.
Options generally become exercisable at a rate of 25% on the one year
anniversary of the vesting commencing date, which may precede the grant date,
with an additional 6.25% exercisable at the end of each quarter thereafter until
fully vested at the end of the fourth year. Vesting may not exceed five years
for grants to owners of more than 10% of Webvan's voting power, nor exceed ten
years for all other option holders.

     Stock option activity under the 1997 Stock Plan is summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                WEIGHTED
                                                                NUMBER OF       AVERAGE
                                                                  SHARES        EXERCISE
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)     PRICE
                                                              --------------    --------
<S>                                                           <C>               <C>
Options granted during 1997 (weighted average fair value of
  $0.00016).................................................      12,588        $0.00081
Options canceled during 1997................................        (108)        0.00081
                                                                 -------
Balance, December 31, 1997 (none exercisable)...............      12,480         0.00081
Options granted during 1998 (weighted average fair value of
  $0.01740).................................................      46,437         0.10206
Options exercised during 1998...............................     (18,981)        0.00645
Options canceled during 1998................................      (3,210)        0.02735
                                                                 -------
Balance, December 31, 1998..................................      36,726         0.12361
Options granted during 1999 (unaudited).....................       6,990         1.90332
Options exercised during 1999 (unaudited)...................      (2,869)        0.02554
Options canceled during 1999 (unaudited)....................        (413)        0.12429
                                                                 -------
Balance, June 30, 1999 (unaudited)..........................      40,434        $0.26546
                                                                 =======
</TABLE>

                                      F-15
<PAGE>   83
                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
                        AND JUNE 30, 1999 IS UNAUDITED)

     Additional information regarding options outstanding as of December 31,
1998 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              OPTIONS OUTSTANDING             OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
                     -------------------------------------   ---------------------
                       NUMBER       WEIGHTED                   NUMBER
                         OF         AVERAGE      WEIGHTED        OF       WEIGHTED
                       SHARES      REMAINING      AVERAGE      SHARES     AVERAGE
     EXERCISE           (IN       CONTRACTUAL    EXERCISE       (IN       EXERCISE
      PRICES         THOUSANDS)   LIFE (YEARS)     PRICE     THOUSANDS)    PRICE
- -------------------  ----------   ------------   ---------   ----------   --------
<S>                  <C>          <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>
     $0.00081           2,163         8.09       $0.00081        924      $0.00081
     $0.01250          13,062         9.07       $0.01250      6,741      $0.01250
     $0.10000          13,998         9.60       $0.10000         --            --
     $0.41667           7,503         9.94       $0.41667         --            --
                       ------                                  -----
$0.00081 - $0.41667    36,726         9.39       $0.12773      7,665      $0.00650
                       ======                                  =====
</TABLE>

     At December 31, 1998, shares of common stock available for future option
grants totaled 16,293,522. During 1998 and in January 1999, Webvan's Board of
Directors increased the 30,000,000 shares of common stock reserved under the
plan as follows: 12,000,000 in May 1998; 6,000,000 in July 1998; 6,000,000 in
October 1998; 12,000,000 in December 1998 and 6,000,000 in January 1999. As a
result, 50,150,910 shares are reserved in the option pool as of June 30, 1999.

ADDITIONAL STOCK PLAN INFORMATION

     As discussed in Note 1, Webvan accounts for its stock-based awards using
the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB 25. Based on the stock value
and exercise prices, during the year ended December 31, 1998, $1,060,00 of
compensation expense has been recognized in the financial statements for
employee stock arrangements.

     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation", (SFAS 123) requires the disclosure of pro forma net
income and earnings per share as if Webvan had adopted the fair value method as
of the beginning of the period ended December 31, 1997. Webvan's calculations
were made using the minimum value method with the following weighted average
assumptions: expected life of 60 months following the grant date; risk free
interest rates of 6% in 1998; and no dividends during the expected term.
Webvan's calculations are based on a single option valuation approach and
forfeitures are recognized as they occur. If the computed fair value of 1998 and
1997 awards had been charged to compensation over the vesting period of the
awards, the net loss would have been $12,028,000 ($(0.18) per share, basic and
diluted) in 1998 and $2,841,000 ($(0.08) per share, basic and diluted) in 1997.

                                      F-16
<PAGE>   84
                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
                        AND JUNE 30, 1999 IS UNAUDITED)

9. NONCASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES

STOCK AND OPTIONS FOR RECRUITING

     Webvan issued the following shares and options for recruiting services that
represent noncash operating expenses (in thousands, except per share amounts):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   FAIR
                                                        NUMBER        FAIR       VALUE AT
                                             DATE         OF          VALUE      ISSUANCE
                                            ISSUED      SHARES      PER SHARE      DATE
                                            ------    ----------    ---------    --------
<S>                                         <C>       <C>           <C>          <C>
Stock:
  Series A preferred stock................   1997         939       $0.09583         $90
  Restricted common.......................   1997         360        0.01250           5
  Series A preferred stock................   1998          51        0.09583           5
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   FAIR
                                                        SHARES      EXERCISE      VALUE
                                             DATE     COVERED BY      PRICE      AT GRANT
                                            ISSUED     OPTIONS      PER SHARE      DATE
                                            ------    ----------    ---------    --------
<S>                                         <C>       <C>           <C>          <C>
Stock options --
  Restricted common.......................   1998         160       $0.10000          $7
</TABLE>

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

     In connection with the grant of certain stock options in 1998 and 1999, the
Company recorded deferred compensation of $11,797,000 and $17,006,000 and
compensation expense of $1,060,000 and $3,953,000, respectively, representing
the difference between the deemed fair value and the option exercise price as
determined by the Board of Directors on the date of grant. The deferred
compensation is being amortized over the four-year vesting period of the
underlying options.

WARRANTS FOR DEBT

     Webvan issued the following warrants in connection with its long-term debt
and capital lease arrangements (in thousands, except per share amounts):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   FAIR
                                                        SHARES      EXERCISE      VALUE
                                             DATE     COVERED BY      PRICE      AT GRANT
                                            ISSUED     WARRANTS     PER SHARE      DATE
                                            ------    ----------    ---------    --------
<S>                                         <C>       <C>           <C>          <C>
Series B preferred stock warrants.........   1998       2,398       $   0.91      $1,679
</TABLE>

     The above shares and shares covered by options and warrants reflect the
two-for-one stock splits in March 1998, January 1999 and July 1999 and the
three-for-two stock split in August 1999. The fair value of the options and
warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the
following assumptions: expected life of seven years; risk-free interest rate of
6% in 1998 and 1997; no dividends during the expected term and volatility of
80%. The calculations are based on a single option valuation approach and
forfeitures are recognized as they occur. The warrants expire November 2005.

                                      F-17
<PAGE>   85
                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
                        AND JUNE 30, 1999 IS UNAUDITED)

10. NET LOSS PER SHARE

     The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used
in computing basic and diluted net loss per share (in thousands except per share
amounts):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      CUMULATIVE
                         PERIOD FROM                                                     FROM
                        DECEMBER 17,                                                 DECEMBER 17,
                        1996 (DATE OF        YEAR           SIX MONTHS ENDED        1996 (DATE OF
                       INCORPORATION)       ENDED               JUNE 30,            INCORPORATION)
                       TO DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   -------------------------    TO JUNE 30,
                            1997             1998          1998          1999            1999
                       ---------------   ------------   -----------   -----------   --------------
                                                        (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)    (UNAUDITED)
<S>                    <C>               <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>
Net loss (numerator),
  basic and
  diluted............      $(2,840)        $(12,004)      $(3,262)     $(35,134)       $(49,978)
                           -------         --------       -------      --------        --------
Shares (denominator):
  Weighted average
     common shares
     outstanding.....       37,407           76,934        70,518        84,689          62,322
  Weighted average
     common shares
     outstanding and
     subject to
     repurchase......           --           (9,820)       (5,443)      (11,409)         (6,101)
                           -------         --------       -------      --------        --------
Shares used in
  computation, basic
  and diluted........       37,407           67,114        65,075        73,280          56,221
                           =======         ========       =======      ========        ========
Net loss per share,
  basic and
  diluted............      $ (0.08)        $  (0.18)      $ (0.05)     $  (0.48)       $  (0.89)
                           =======         ========       =======      ========        ========
</TABLE>

                                      F-18
<PAGE>   86
                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
                        AND JUNE 30, 1999 IS UNAUDITED)

     For the above-mentioned periods, the Company had securities outstanding
which could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future, but were
excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share in the periods
presented, as their effect would have been antidilutive. Such outstanding
securities consist of the following (in thousands, except per share amounts):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      CUMULATIVE
                         PERIOD FROM                                                     FROM
                        DECEMBER 17,                                                 DECEMBER 17,
                        1996 (DATE OF        YEAR           SIX MONTHS ENDED         1996 (DATE OF
                       INCORPORATION)       ENDED               JUNE 30,            INCORPORATION)
                       TO DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   -------------------------     TO JUNE 30,
                            1997             1998          1998          1999            1999
                       ---------------   ------------   -----------   -----------   ---------------
                                                        (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)     (UNAUDITED)
<S>                    <C>               <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>
Convertible preferred
  stock..............      112,583          151,736       151,163       184,090         184,090
Shares of common
  stock subject to
  repurchase.........           --           14,456        16,629         9,345           9,345
Outstanding options..       12,480           36,726        15,870        40,434          40,434
Warrants.............           --            2,398            --         2,398           2,398
                          --------         --------      --------      --------        --------
          Total......      125,063          205,316       183,662       236,267         236,267
                          ========         ========      ========      ========        ========
Weighted average
  exercise price of
  options............     $0.00083         $0.12773      $0.01043      $0.27431        $0.27431
                          ========         ========      ========      ========        ========
Weighted average
  exercise price of
  warrants...........     $     --         $   0.91      $     --      $   0.91        $   0.91
                          ========         ========      ========      ========        ========
</TABLE>

11. INCOME TAXES

     While Webvan is in the development stage, substantially all losses incurred
for financial statements purposes will be deferred for income tax purposes. In
the year that Webvan first generates revenues from operations, expenditures
accumulated during the development stage will start being amortized for income
tax purposes over a five-year period. The deduction of these expenses for
financial statement purposes in years preceding the deduction for income tax
purposes is a temporary difference that creates a deferred tax asset. At
statutory rates, the deferred tax asset amounts to approximately $5.5 million
which has been offset by a valuation allowance of the same amount due to lack of
operating history combined with risks and uncertainties surrounding Webvan's
ability to generate future taxable income.

                                      F-19
<PAGE>   87
                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
                        AND JUNE 30, 1999 IS UNAUDITED)

     Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities
are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ------------------
                                                               1997       1998
                                                              -------    -------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Net operating loss carryforwards..........................  $   101    $   101
  Start-up costs capitalized for tax purposes...............    1,000      5,384
  Other.....................................................       15         34
                                                              -------    -------
Total deferred tax assets...................................    1,116      5,519
Valuation allowance.........................................   (1,116)    (5,519)
                                                              -------    -------
Net deferred tax assets.....................................  $    --    $    --
                                                              =======    =======
</TABLE>

     At December 31, 1998 the Company has federal net operating loss
carryforwards of approximately $227,000, expiring in 2012. The Company has
research tax credit carryforwards available to offset future federal taxes of
$45,000, expiring from 2012 to 2013. The Company has state net operating loss
carryforwards of approximately $235,000, expiring in 2002. The Company also has
state tax credit carryforwards of approximately $25,000, which do not expire.

     Utilization of the net operating losses and credits may be subject to an
annual limitation due to ownership change limitations provided by the Internal
Revenue Code and similar state provisions. The annual limitation may result in
the expiration of net operating losses and credits before utilization.

12. LEASES

     Webvan leases facilities under noncancelable operating lease agreements
which expire at various dates through 2008.

     Future lease payments under the lease agreements as of December 31, 1998
are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        YEAR ENDING
                        DECEMBER 31,
                        ------------
<S>                                                           <C>
     1999...................................................  $ 1,790
     2000...................................................    1,834
     2001...................................................    1,900
     2002...................................................    1,665
     2003...................................................    1,577
Thereafter..................................................    7,070
                                                              -------
          Total future lease payments.......................  $15,836
                                                              =======
</TABLE>

     Facilities rent expense was $1,026 and $123 for the periods ended December
31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

13. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

     Webvan has a 401(k) profit-sharing plan (the 401(k) Plan) that covers
substantially all employees. The 401(k) Plan provides for voluntary salary
reduction contributions of up to 15% of

                                      F-20
<PAGE>   88
                       WEBVAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                         (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
  (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
                        AND JUNE 30, 1999 IS UNAUDITED)

eligible participants' annual compensation subject to Internal Revenue Code
limitations. Under the terms of the 401(k) Plan, Webvan will match 100% of
employees' contributions for the first $500 and 25% thereafter to a maximum of
$2,000 per year. Matching contributions made during the period ended December
31, 1997 and 1998 were $17,000 and $81,000, respectively.

14. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     From inception through October 1997, Webvan's founder advanced $2,037,679
to the Company in exchange for notes payable bearing 8% interest payable. The
notes were due on demand or upon Webvan's obtaining equity financing. The notes
were fully repaid with interest of $68,709 on October 30, 1997 after issuance of
Series A preferred stock on October 29, 1997.

     A general contractor of Webvan has subcontracted with an equipment
manufacturer (see Note 2) to install equipment in Webvan's distribution center.
A total of $4.9 million of this work was completed by December 31, 1998 and is
included in construction in progress within property, equipment and leasehold
improvements.

15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

     On July 8, 1999, the Company signed an agreement (the "Agreement") with a
contractor to design, develop and construct up to 26 distribution center
warehouse facilities ("Distribution Centers") in the United States. The
Agreement expires July 8, 2002, unless extended by written agreement. As part of
the Agreement, the contractor was granted a warrant to purchase up to 1,800,000
shares of the Company's Series C preferred stock at $2.32 per share (the
"Warrant"). The Warrant is exercisable as to 150,000 shares on July 8, 1999 and
generally becomes exercisable as to the remaining shares as Distribution Centers
are completed by the contractor within agreed upon schedule and budgetary
parameters. A portion of the Warrant shares will be forfeited if the schedule
and budgetary parameters are not met for any Distribution Center.


     Under the applicable accounting guidelines in Emerging Issues Task Force
Issue No. 96-18, "Accounting for Equity Instruments That are Issued to Other
Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or
Services", the measurement date for the Warrant is July 8, 1999 as that is the
performance commitment date. As of July 8, 1999, the Company will capitalize the
fair value of the warrant related to the 150,000 exercisable shares, as
determined by the board of directors and will amortize that amount over a five
year period. No amount will be capitalized as of that date for the fair value of
the Warrant related to the non-exercisable shares as eventual exercisability is
dependent on counterparty performance. Any amounts capitalized based on
Bechtel's future performance will be amortized over the useful life of the
Distribution Centers. If and when the Warrant becomes exercisable as to
additional shares, based on counterparty performance, the Company will
capitalize additional cost based on the then fair value of the Warrant related
to such additional exercisable shares.


     On July 15, 1999, Webvan entered into an agreement that provided for the
sale of 21,670,605 shares of its Series D-2 preferred stock at a price of $12.69
per share totaling approximately $275 million.

                                      F-21
<PAGE>   89

                                  UNDERWRITING

     Webvan and the underwriters named below have entered into an underwriting
agreement with respect to the shares being offered. Subject to certain
conditions, each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase the number of
shares indicated in the following table. Goldman, Sachs & Co., Donaldson, Lufkin
& Jenrette Securities Corporation, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, BancBoston Robertson Stephens Inc., Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.,
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Thomas Weisel Partners LLC are the
representatives of the underwriters.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        UNDERWRITERS                          NUMBER OF SHARES
                        ------------                          ----------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Goldman, Sachs & Co. .......................................
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.........
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated..........
BancBoston Robertson Stephens Inc...........................
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.....................................
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc................................
Thomas Weisel Partners LLC..................................
                                                                 ----------
  Total.....................................................     25,000,000
                                                                 ==========
</TABLE>

     If the underwriters sell more shares than the total number set forth in the
table above, the underwriters have an option to buy up to an additional
3,750,000 shares from Webvan to cover such sales. They may exercise that option
for 30 days. If any shares are purchased pursuant to this option, the
underwriters will severally purchase shares in approximately the same proportion
as set forth in the table above.

     Webvan will sell the shares to the underwriters at a price of $       per
share, which represents a $       (or   %) discount from the initial public
offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. This discount is
the underwriters' compensation. The following table shows the per share and
total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriters by
Webvan. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of
the underwriters' option to purchase 3,750,000 additional shares.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    PAID BY WEBVAN
                                                                    --------------
                                                              NO EXERCISE   FULL EXERCISE
                                                              -----------   -------------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Per share...................................................   $              $
Total.......................................................   $              $
</TABLE>

     Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at
the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Any
shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount
of up to $     per share from the initial public offering price. Any such
securities dealers may resell any shares purchased from the underwriters to
certain other brokers or dealers at a discount of up to $     per share from the
initial public offering price. If all the shares are not sold at the initial
public offering price, the representatives may change the offering price and the
other selling terms.

     Pursuant to lock-up agreements, Webvan and its directors, officers,
employees and other securityholders have agreed not to offer, sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of or hedge any of their common stock or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock during the lock-up
period, except with the prior written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co. According
to the lock-up agreements, at any time beginning on the third day following the
public release of our earnings for the year ended December 31, 1999, each
stockholder may dispose of or hedge up to 15% of his or her shares owned as of
December 31, 1999; at any time beginning on the 48th day following the public
release of our earnings for the year ended December 31, 1999, each stockholder
may dispose of or hedge up to an additional 25% of his or her shares owned as of
December 31, 1999; and each

                                       U-1
<PAGE>   90

such stockholder may dispose of or hedge his or her remaining shares at any time
on or following the date which is 180 days after the date of this prospectus.
This agreement does not apply to any existing employee benefit plan. See "Shares
Eligible for Future Sale" for a discussion of transfer restrictions.

     Prior to the offering, there has been no public market for the shares. The
initial public offering price for the common stock will be negotiated among
Webvan and the representatives of the underwriters. Among the factors to be
considered in determining the initial public offering price of the shares, in
addition to prevailing market conditions, will be Webvan's historical
performance, estimates of Webvan's business potential and earnings prospects, an
assessment of Webvan's management and the consideration of the above factors in
relation to market valuation of companies in related businesses.

     Webvan has applied to have the common stock listed on the Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol "WBVN".

     In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell
shares of common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short
sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by
short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater
number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. Stabilizing
transactions consist of bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or
retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock while the offering
is in progress.

     The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a
particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting
discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold
by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering
transactions.

     These activities by the underwriters may stabilize, maintain or otherwise
affect that market price of the common stock. As a result, the price of the
common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open
market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the
underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq
National Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

     The underwriters do not expect sales to discretionary accounts to exceed
five percent of the total number of shares offered.

     Webvan currently anticipates that it will request the underwriters to
reserve up to 500,000 shares of its common stock for sale at the initial public
offering price to persons designated by Webvan, substantially all of whom have
been or are expected to be vendors or service providers to Webvan, through a
directed share program. The number of shares available for sale to the general
public will be reduced to the extent such persons purchase such reserved shares.
Any reserved shares not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the
general public on the same basis as other shares offered hereby.

     Thomas Weisel Partners LLC, one of the representatives of the underwriters,
was organized and registered as a broker-dealer in December 1998. Since December
1998 Thomas Weisel Partners has been named as a lead or co-manager of 54 filed
public offerings of equity securities, of which 31 have been completed, and has
acted as a syndicate member in an additional 27 public offerings of equity
securities. Thomas Weisel Partners does not have any material relationship with
Webvan or any of Webvan's officers, directors or other controlling persons,
except for its contractual relationship with Webvan under the terms of the
underwriting agreement entered into in connection with this offering.

     In July 1999, entities affiliated with Goldman, Sachs & Co. purchased an
aggregate of 7,880,220 shares of Webvan's Series D-2 preferred stock for an
aggregate purchase price of approximately $100.0 million.

                                       U-2
<PAGE>   91

     Webvan estimates that its share of the total expenses of the offering,
excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $1.4
million.

     Webvan has agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

                                       U-3
<PAGE>   92

                            Inside Gatefold Graphics



     [artwork which depicts the Webvan solution, illustrated by pictures of the
Company's Webstore, delivery service, distribution center and food products
together with captions explaining the pictures and diagram]
<PAGE>   93

                          Inside Front Cover Graphics





                    [artwork consists of the Webvan logo and
                 website address and pictures of food products]
<PAGE>   94
                           Inside Back Cover Graphics




            [artwork consists of an arrow pointing to "webvan.com"]

<PAGE>   95

- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------

     No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any
information or represent anything not contained in this prospectus. You must not
rely on any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is an
offer to sell only the shares offered hereby, but only under circumstances where
it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current
only as of its date.

                           -------------------------

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary....................    1
Summary Consolidated Financial Data...    3
Risk Factors..........................    4
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking
  Statements..........................   18
Use of Proceeds.......................   19
Dividend Policy.......................   19
Capitalization........................   20
Dilution..............................   22
Selected Consolidated Financial
  Data................................   23
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................   24
Business..............................   31
Management............................   44
Related Party Transactions............   55
Principal Stockholders................   57
Description of Capital Stock..........   60
Shares Eligible for Future Sale.......   63
Legal Matters.........................   64
Experts...............................   64
Available Information.................   65
Index to Financial Statements.........  F-1
Underwriting..........................  U-1
</TABLE>


                           -------------------------


     Through and including November   , 1999 (the 25th day after the date of
this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities,
whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a
prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer's obligation to deliver a prospectus
when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or
subscription.


- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------

                               25,000,000 Shares

                               WEBVAN GROUP, INC.

                                  Common Stock

                           -------------------------

                                      LOGO
                           -------------------------

                              GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
                          DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                         BANCBOSTON ROBERTSON STEPHENS
                            BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
                           DEUTSCHE BANC ALEX. BROWN
                           THOMAS WEISEL PARTNERS LLC
                      Representatives of the Underwriters

- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   96

                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

     The following table sets forth all expenses, other than the underwriting
discounts and commissions, payable by the Registrant in connection with the sale
of the securities being registered. All amounts shown are estimates except for
the SEC registration fee and the NASD filing fee.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                          <C>
SEC registration fee.......................................  $  103,903
NASD filing fee............................................      30,500
Nasdaq National Market Fees................................      80,000
Blue Sky qualification fees and expenses...................      10,000
Printing and engraving expenses............................     200,000
Accountant's fees and expenses.............................     300,000
Legal fees and expenses....................................     600,000
Miscellaneous..............................................      75,597
                                                             ----------
          Total............................................  $1,400,000
                                                             ==========
</TABLE>

ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation
to include in its charter documents, and in agreements between the corporation
and its directors and officers, provisions expanding the scope of
indemnification beyond that specifically provided by such section.

     The Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for the
indemnification of directors to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware
law.

     The Registrant's Bylaws provides for the indemnification of officers,
directors and third parties acting on behalf of the Registrant if such person
acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in and not opposed
to the best interest of the Registrant, and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, the indemnified party had no reason to believe his or her conduct
was unlawful.

     The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its
directors and executive officers and intends to enter into indemnification
agreements with any new directors and executive officers in the future.

     The Registrant has director and officer liability insurance that covers
matters, including matters arising under the Securities Act.

ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.

     Since the Registrant's inception in December 1996, the Registrant has
issued and sold the following unregistered securities:

      1. Between April and September 1997, the Registrant issued an aggregate of
         64,034,472 shares of Common Stock of the Registrant to Louis H. Borders
         and his family members, David Rock and entities and persons affiliated
         with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. pursuant to restricted
         stock purchase agreements for an aggregate amount of $53,362.06.


      2. Between September 1997 and September 1999, the Registrant granted and
         issued options to purchase an aggregate of 73,604,256 shares of Common
         Stock of the Registrant to executive officers, employees, Ramsey Beirne
         Associates, Inc., Christos Cotsakos and Yahoo! Inc. pursuant to the
         Registrant's 1997 Stock Plan with an aggregate exercise price of
         $57,869,343.58. The executive officers include Kevin R. Czinger, Arvind
         Peter Relan,


                                      II-1
<PAGE>   97

         S. Coppy Holzman, Gary B. Dahl, Mark J. Holtzman, Christian T.
         Mannella, David S. Rock and Mark X. Zaleski.

      3. In October 1997, the Registrant issued an aggregate of 111,643,872
         shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the Registrant to entities
         affiliated with Sequoia Capital, entities associated with Benchmark
         Capital Partners, entities and persons affiliated with Wilson Sonsini
         Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., unaffiliated investors and Louis H. Borders
         for an aggregate amount of $10,699,204.40.

      4. From December 1997 to February 1998, the Registrant issued an aggregate
         of 991,296 shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the Registrant to
         consultants for an aggregate amount of $94,999.20. The consultants
         include DHR International, Inc., Information Technology Partners, Inc.
         and Daniel P. Bowman.


      5. From April 1998 to September 1999, the Registrant issued an aggregate
         of 24,194,477 shares of Common Stock of the Registrant to executive
         officers, employees, Christos Cotsakos and Ramsey Beirne Associates,
         Inc. pursuant to the Registrant's 1997 Stock Plan with an aggregate
         exercise price of $864,224.88. The executive officers include Arvind
         Peter Relan, S. Coppy Holzman, Gary B. Dahl, Mark J. Holtzman, Vivek
         Joshi, Christian T. Mannella and David S. Rock.


      6. In May 1998, the Registrant issued 16,380,000 shares of Series B
         Preferred Stock of the Registrant to SOFTBANK Holdings, Inc. for an
         amount of $14,960,400.

      7. In May 1998, the Registrant granted and issued a warrant to purchase
         164,232 shares of Series B Preferred Stock of the Registrant to
         Comdisco for an exercise price of $149,998.56.

      8. In June 1998, the Registrant issued an aggregate of 21,341,976 shares
         of Series B Preferred Stock of the Registrant to SOFTBANK Holdings,
         Inc. and Raj Vattikuti for an aggregate amount $19,492,338.08.

      9. From June 1998 to September 1998, the Registrant issued an aggregate of
         1,379,328 shares of Series B Preferred Stock of the Registrant to
         consultants and individual investors for an aggregate amount of
         $1,259,786.24. The consultants include Harbor Belmont Associates,
         Distribution Planning, Inc. and individuals associated with
         Distribution Planning, Inc.

     10. In June 1998, the Registrant granted and issued an aggregate of 18,000
         shares of Series B Preferred Stock of the Registrant to employees for
         an aggregate amount of $16,440.

     11. In November 1998, the Registrant granted and issued warrants to
         purchase an aggregate of 2,233,572 shares of Series B Preferred Stock
         of the Registrant to equipment lessors for an aggregate exercise price
         of $2,039,995.76. The equipment lessors include Lighthouse Capital
         Partners II, L.P., Dominion Capital Management, LLC, Imperial Bank,
         MMC/GATX Partnership No. 1 and Venture Lending & Leasing, Inc.

     12. In January 1999, the Registrant issued an aggregate of 12,000 shares of
         Series B Preferred Stock of the Registrant to employees for an
         aggregate amount of $10,960.

     13. In January 1999, the Registrant issued an aggregate of 32,281,200
         shares of Series C Preferred Stock of the Registrant to venture
         investors for an aggregate amount of $74,999,988. The venture investors
         include Yahoo! Inc. and E*TRADE Group, Inc.

     14. In April 1999, the Registrant issued an aggregate of 60,000 shares of
         Series C Preferred Stock of the Registrant to individual investors for
         an aggregate amount of $139,400.

     15. In June 1999, the Registrant issued 450,000 shares of Common Stock of
         the Registrant to Kevin R. Czinger for an amount of $607,500.

                                      II-2
<PAGE>   98

     16. In July and August 1999, the Registrant issued an aggregate of
         21,670,605 shares of Series D-2 Preferred Stock of the Registrant to
         SOFTBANK Holdings, Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Sequoia Capital and
         their affiliates for an aggregate amount of $274,999,997.40.

     17. In July 1999, the Registrant granted and issued warrants to purchase an
         aggregate of 1,812,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock of the
         Registrant to Vintage Island Partners and Bechtel Corporation for an
         aggregate exercise price of $4,209,880.

     18. In August and September 1999, the Registrant issued 15,000 shares of
         common stock of the Registrant to Ramsey Beirne Associates, Inc. for
         services provided.

     19. In September 1999, the Registrant issued 150,000 shares of Series C
         Preferred Stock of the Registrant to Bechtel Corporation for $348,500.

     20. In September 1999, the Registrant issued 1,250,000 shares of common
         stock of the Registrant to George T. Shaheen in connection with his
         employment.


     21. In September 1999, the Registrant granted and issued options to
         purchase an aggregate of 15,843,750 shares of common stock of the
         Registrant to employees, Gregory Beutler and George T. Shaheen pursuant
         to the Registrant's 1999 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan with an
         aggregate exercise price of $123,928,687.50.


     There were no underwriters involved in connection with any transaction set
forth above. The issuances of the securities in paragraphs 2, 5 and 15 of this
Item 15 were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in
reliance upon Rule 701 promulgated thereunder as grants of options pursuant to
written compensatory benefit plans approved by the Registrant's Board of
Directors. The other issuances set forth in this Item 15 were deemed to be
exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and
Regulation D promulgated thereunder as a transaction by an issuer not involving
a public offering.

     In all of such transactions, the recipients of securities represented their
intention to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to
or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends
were affixed to the securities issued.

     The following table summarizes the benefits to the executive officers and
directors in connection with the above issuances, based upon an assumed initial
public offering price of $12.00 per share, as compared to the price at which
such parties purchased the Registrant's securities.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  PRICE PAID
      EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR DIRECTOR           NUMBER OF SHARES    PER SHARE     VALUE OF BENEFIT
      -----------------------------           ----------------    ----------    ----------------
<S>                                           <C>                 <C>           <C>
Louis H. Borders..........................       14,117,328        $0.00083     $169,396,218.62
                                                 22,240,896         0.09587      264,759,406.94
George T. Shaheen.........................        1,250,000         0.00000       15,000,000.00
Kevin R. Czinger..........................          450,000         1.35000        4,792,500.00
Arvind Peter Relan........................        3,828,000         0.01250       45,888,150.00
Gary B. Dahl..............................        2,250,000         0.00083       26,998,132.50
Mark J. Holtzman..........................        1,260,000         0.00083       15,118,954.20
Mark J. Holtzman..........................          600,000         0.01250        7,192,500.00
S. Coppy Holzman..........................        2,250,000         0.00083       26,998,132.50
Vivek Joshi...............................           30,000         3.33333          260,000.10
Christian T. Mannella.....................           78,000         0.41667          903,499.74
David S. Rock.............................        3,600,000         0.00083       43,197,012.00
                                                    360,000         0.01250        4,315,500.00
Christos Cotsakos.........................          684,462         0.10000        8,145,097.80
</TABLE>


                                      II-3
<PAGE>   99

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

     (a) Exhibits


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                      DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- -------                     -----------------------
<S>       <C>
 1.1#     Form of Underwriting Agreement
 3.1#     Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant
 3.2#     Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant
 3.3#     Bylaws of the Registrant
 3.4#     Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant to
          be filed following the closing of the offering.
 4.1#     Specimen Common Stock Certificate
 4.2#     Registration Rights Agreement dated October 29, 1997, as
          amended
 5.1      Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
          Corporation
10.1#     Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and
          each of its directors and officers
10.2#     1997 Stock Plan and form of agreements thereunder
10.3#     1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
10.4#     Lease Agreement dated April 1, 1998 between the Registrant
          and Lincoln Coliseum Distribution Center for premises in
          Oakland, California
10.5#     Lease Agreement dated March 4, 1999 between the Registrant
          and AMB Property, LP for premises in Atlanta, Georgia
10.6#     Lease Agreement dated January 21, 1997 between the
          Registrant and Dove Holdings, Inc. for premises in Foster
          City, California
10.7#     Lease and Security Agreement dated November 18, 1998 between
          the Registrant and Lighthouse Capital Partners and other
          lenders
10.8#     Offer Letter dated March 18, 1999 between the Registrant and
          Kevin R. Czinger
10.9#     Offer Letter dated February 2, 1998 between the Registrant
          and Arvind Peter Relan
10.10#    Offer Letter dated December 14, 1998 between the Registrant
          and Mark X. Zaleski
10.11#    Offer Letter dated March 31, 1997 between the Registrant and
          Gary B. Dahl
10.12#    Offer Letter dated June 5, 1997 between the Registrant and
          Mark J. Holtzman
10.13#    Offer Letter dated September 3, 1997 between the Registrant
          and S. Coppy Holzman
10.14+#   Contract dated July 8, 1999 for turnkey design/build
          construction and related services between the Registrant and
          Bechtel Corporation
10.15+#   Warrant dated July 8, 1999 issued to Bechtel Corporation
10.16#    Warrant dated May 27, 1998 issued to Comdisco Ventures
10.17#    Warrant dated November 18, 1998 issued to Lighthouse Capital
          Partners
10.18#    Internet Data Services Agreement dated January 21, 1999
          between the Registrant and Exodus Communications, Inc.
10.19#    1999 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan and form of agreements
          thereunder
10.20     Employment Agreement between the Registrant and George T.
          Shaheen
10.21     Offer Letter dated August 19, 1999 between the Registrant
          and Gregory Beutler
10.22     Offer Letter dated July 25, 1999 between the Registrant and
          Vivek M. Joshi
10.23     Offer Letter dated October 2, 1999 between the Registrant
          and Robert H. Swan
23.1      Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Auditors
23.2#     Consent of Counsel (see Exhibit 5.1)
24.1#     Power of Attorney
24.2#     Power of Attorney
24.3#     Power of Attorney for George T. Shaheen
27.1#     Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>


- -------------------------

# Previously filed


+  Confidential treatment has been requested for certain portions of this
exhibit.

     (b) Financial Statement Schedules

                                      II-4
<PAGE>   100

     Schedules not listed above have been omitted because the information
required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the financial
statements or notes thereto.

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters
at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such
denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to
permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

          (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
     of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
     of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in
     a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
     (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
     registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

          (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
     prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
     the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
     time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

                                      II-5
<PAGE>   101

                                   SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto, duly authorized in Foster City,
California, on October 11, 1999.


                                          Webvan Group, Inc.

                                          By:     /s/ KEVIN R. CZINGER
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                      Kevin R. Czinger
                                                   Senior Vice President,
                                              Corporate Operations and Finance


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed on October 11, 1999 by the following
persons in the capacities indicated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                             TITLE
                      ---------                                             -----
<S>                                                      <C>
                          *                                   Chairman of the Board of Directors
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Louis H. Borders

                          *                                               President,
- -----------------------------------------------------        Chief Executive Officer and Director
                  George T. Shaheen                             (Principal Executive Officer)

                /s/ KEVIN R. CZINGER                                Senior Vice President,
- -----------------------------------------------------                Corporate Operations
                  Kevin R. Czinger                                       and Finance
                                                         (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

                          *                                                Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   David M. Beirne

                          *                                                Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                Christos M. Cotsakos

                          *                                                Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                     Tim Koogle

                          *                                                Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Michael J. Moritz

              *By: /s/ KEVIN R. CZINGER
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Kevin R. Czinger
                  Attorney-In-Fact
</TABLE>

                                      II-6
<PAGE>   102

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT                                                                   NUMBERED
NUMBER                      DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                         PAGE
- -------                     -----------------------                     ------------
<S>       <C>                                                           <C>
 1.1#     Form of Underwriting Agreement..............................
 3.1#     Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant..............
 3.2#     Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.....
 3.3#     Bylaws of the Registrant....................................
 3.4#     Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant to
          be filed following the closing of the offering..............
 4.1#     Specimen Common Stock Certificate...........................
 4.2#     Registration Rights Agreement dated October 29, 1997, as
          amended.....................................................
 5.1      Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
          Corporation.................................................
10.1#     Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and
          each of its directors and officers..........................
10.2#     1997 Stock Plan and form of agreements thereunder...........
10.3#     1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan...........................
10.4#     Lease Agreement dated April 1, 1998 between the Registrant
          and Lincoln Coliseum Distribution Center for premises in
          Oakland, California.........................................
10.5#     Lease Agreement dated March 4, 1999 between the Registrant
          and AMB Property, LP for premises in Atlanta, Georgia.......
10.6#     Lease Agreement dated January 21, 1997 between the
          Registrant and Dove Holdings, Inc. for premises in Foster
          City, California............................................
10.7#     Lease and Security Agreement dated November 18, 1998 between
          the Registrant and Lighthouse Capital Partners and other
          lenders.....................................................
10.8#     Offer Letter dated March 18, 1999 between the Registrant and
          Kevin R. Czinger............................................
10.9#     Offer Letter dated February 2, 1998 between the Registrant
          and Arvind Peter Relan......................................
10.10#    Offer Letter dated December 14, 1998 between the Registrant
          and Mark X. Zaleski.........................................
10.11#    Offer Letter dated March 31, 1997 between the Registrant and
          Gary B. Dahl................................................
10.12#    Offer Letter dated June 5, 1997 between the Registrant and
          Mark J. Holtzman............................................
10.13#    Offer Letter dated September 3, 1997 between the Registrant
          and S. Coppy Holzman........................................
10.14+#   Contract dated July 8, 1999 for turnkey design/build
          construction and related services between the Registrant and
          Bechtel Corporation.........................................
10.15+#   Warrant dated July 8, 1999 issued to Bechtel Corporation....
10.16#    Warrant dated May 27, 1998 issued to Comdisco Ventures......
10.17#    Warrant dated November 18, 1998 issued to Lighthouse Capital
          Partners....................................................
10.18#    Internet Data Services Agreement dated January 21, 1999
          between the Registrant and Exodus Communications, Inc. .....
10.19#    Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan and form of agreements
          thereunder..................................................
10.20     Employment Agreement between the Registrant and George T.
          Shaheen.....................................................
10.21     Offer Letter dated August 19, 1999 between the Registrant
          and Gregory Beutler.........................................
10.22     Offer Letter dated July 25, 1999 between the Registrant and
          Vivek M. Joshi..............................................
10.23     Offer Letter dated October 2, 1999 between the Registrant
          and Robert H. Swan..........................................
23.1      Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Auditors......
23.2#     Consent of Counsel (see Exhibit 5.1)........................
24.1#     Power of Attorney...........................................
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   103


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        SEQUENTIALLY
EXHIBIT                                                                   NUMBERED
NUMBER                      DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                         PAGE
- -------                     -----------------------                     ------------
<S>       <C>                                                           <C>
24.2#     Power of Attorney...........................................
24.3#     Power of Attorney for George T. Shaheen.....................
27.1#     Financial Data Schedule.....................................
</TABLE>


- -------------------------


# Previously filed


+  Confidential treatment has been requested for certain portions of this
exhibit.

<PAGE>   1
                 [Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Letterhead]

                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                                October 11, 1999


Webvan Group, Inc.
1241 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Suite 210
Foster City, California 94404

        RE:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-1

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have examined the registration statement on Form S-1, as amended,
filed by Webvan Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of up to 28,750,000 shares of the Company's
common stock (including an over-allotment of up to 3,750,000 shares of the
Company's common stock granted to the underwriters) (the "Shares"). The Shares
are to be sold to the underwriters for resale to the public as described in the
registration statement and pursuant to the underwriting agreement filed as an
exhibit thereto. As legal counsel to the Company, we have examined the
proceedings proposed to be taken in connection with said sale and issuance of
the Shares.

        Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when
issued in the manner described in the registration statement, will be duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

        We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the registration
statement, and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
registration statement, including the prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and any amendment thereto.


                                     Very truly yours,

                                     WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                     Professional Corporation

                                     /s/ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.


<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.20

                            AGREEMENT OF EMPLOYMENT

                       GEORGE T. SHAHEEN AND WEBVAN GROUP

POSITION: President, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 19, 1999

SALARY: $500,000 base plus 50% ($250,000) bonus at target (as set by the Board
        of Directors after conclusion with CEO)

TRANSITION STOCK GRANT:

                       A. 1,250,000 shares granted on September 19, 1999 without
                          restrictions.

                       B. Tax loan of 50% of Fair Market Value of grant on date
                          of grant, with interest to accrue at interest rate
                          possible to avoid imputation of income, with principal
                          and interest to be repaid solely out of 10% of gains
                          from sale of stock by executive, less commissions, but
                          before income or capital gains tax on such gains.
                          Covered sale of stock includes direct or indirect
                          sales, options exercised and sale, and sale of options
                          and includes sales by entities affiliated with
                          executive such as revocable trusts and trusts for
                          children of executive. Gains are measured from the
                          option exercised priced and the fair market value of
                          the stock grant, as applicable.

STOCK OPTION:

                       15,000,000 Shares at $8.00 per share

                       Vesting:

                              20% (3,000,000 shares) vest on effective date
                              (9/19/99)

                              80% to vest monthly over 4 years from September
                              19, 1999.

                              Early Exercise: Executive may exercise early
                              subject to a repurchase option at cost as to
                              unvested shares.

SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN:

                       Company to provide supplemental retirement benefit to
                       Executive equal to 50% of base compensation plus bonus at
                       target upon retirement for any reason after 6/30/2000.
                       Benefit to be payable to Executive and then to spouse if
                       she survives for their joint lives.


<PAGE>   2
            Base compensation and bonus to be amounts set forth above upon
            retirement during the four year period ending September 19, 2003.
            Thereafter base and bonus to be determined using standard formulas
            (like average of top three years in last five years before
            retirement).

                                       2.

            Company to use best efforts to fund the retirement obligation if no
            material adverse effect other than cash cost.

            Company may credit against supplemental retirement benefit any
            social security benefits to which executive is entitled and any
            other retirement benefits earned while employed by the company.

GENERAL PROVISIONS:

            1. Resignation without good reason:

                  - No severance or accelerated vesting. Transition Stock Grant
               arrangement and Supplemental Retirement Plan survive.

            2. Termination for cause (essentially criminal conduct):
                  - same as item #1 above.

            3. Termination without cause (e.g. for reasons other than criminal
               conduct) or resignation with good reason (standard provision
               covering substantial change in compensation or responsibilities,
               requirement of a major relocation e.g. out of San Francisco Bay
               Area):

               -2 year severance of base plus bonus as target, with full
               benefits including vesting.

            4. Change of Control: If there is a change of control followed
                  within 12 months by a termination without cause or a
                  resignation for good reason, then:

                  o  all stock will be fully vested
                  o  3 years severance (base plus bonus at target)
                  o  company to pay excise taxes, if any, plus full gross-up to
                     cover tax liability of Executive

            5. Termination upon death or permanent disability:

                  o  Accelerated vesting of 50% of unvested stock
                  o  12 months to exercise options
<PAGE>   3
                                       3.


ADVISOR FEES:  2,500 Shares of Common Stock

LEGAL FEES:    Executive to bear own expenses





                                   SIGNED:  /s/ George T. Shaheen
                                          ----------------------------
                                                               9/19/99

                                          WEBVAN GROUP, INC.

                                          /s/ Louis H. Borders
                                          ----------------------------



<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.21




                        [WEBVAN GROUP, INC. LETTERHEAD]




August 19, 1999

Gregory Beutler
503 Manorbrook Drive
Chagrin Falls, OH  44022

Dear Greg:

We are very pleased to extend you an offer to serve as Vice President of
Merchandising for Webvan Group.

We at Webvan Group believe that your skills, experience, and personal attributes
will enable us to be a leader in the development of this internet commerce
company.

This letter serves as an offer of employment to you from Webvan Group. The terms
of the offer supersede all prior oral and written communications between you and
Webvan Group or any representative thereof. Please sign this offer letter and
hand deliver or return by FAX (650-524-2933).

POSITION

Your job title will be Vice President of Merchandising.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Your first date to report to work at Webvan Group, 1241 E. Hillsdale Blvd.,
Suite 210, Foster City, CA 94404, will be August 30, 1999.

DUTIES

You will report to Kevin Czinger, SVP of Corporate Operations & Finance. Your
primary responsibility will be to manage Webvan Group's merchandising domain,
along with other duties as assigned.

SALARY

Your salary shall be $15,000.00 per month. This salary shall be paid bi-weekly.
Your salary shall be reviewed each January on an annual basis in accordance with
review procedures established by the Webvan Group Associate Handbook. In
addition, you


<PAGE>   2
will receive a "sign-on" bonus of $50,000.00, payable within two weeks of your
Effective Date. In the event that your employment with Webvan Group is
terminated voluntarily, by you, prior to February 28, 2000, you agree to
reimburse Webvan Group for the full amount of this "sign-on" bonus ($50,000.00).
In addition, you will receive the amount of any Pre-Paid Tuition paid by you and
not refunded to you up to a maximum of $18,000 upon presentation of receipts
evidencing such payment(s), provided that you agree to use your best efforts to
pursue the refund (and non-payment) thereof. Such amount shall be payable with
the pay check following the date on which you advise Webvan Group that you have
been unsuccessful in obtaining a refund of (or not paying any additional)
Pre-Paid Tuition. "Pre-Paid Tuition" means any portion of tuition for the
1999-2000 school year paid by you prior to the date hereof (together with any
additional portion of such tuition required to be paid by you hereafter pursuant
to legally binding commitments) to private educational institutions in which you
have enrolled your children.

INCENTIVE PLAN

You shall be granted a stock option (the "Option") to purchase 187,500 shares of
Webvan Group's common stock at an exercise price determined by the Board of
Directors on your date of grant. The Board of Directors of Webvan Group recently
declared a 3 for 2 stock split, which will become effective upon certain
additional future corporate action. If the split has become effective prior to
the time at which the Board of Directors grants your option (which grant date
will occur after your employment commences), the aforementioned number of stock
options to be granted to you, 187,500, will be adjusted (to 281,250) to reflect
the correct number of options following the stock split. The Option shall vest
at the rate of eight and one-third percent of the shares subject to Option each
three months beginning after twelve months from the date of grant, so that 100%
of the Option shall be vested after four years, subject to your continued
full-time employment with the Company as of each vesting date. Except as
specified herein, the Option is in all respects subject to the terms and
conditions of the 1997 Stock Plan (the "Stock Plan") and standard form of option
agreement (the "Option Agreement").

You shall also be granted a stock option (the "Additional Option") to purchase
an additional 62,500 shares of Webvan Group's common stock at an exercise price
determined by the Board of Directors on the date of grant. The Board of
Directors of Webvan Group recently declared a 3 for 2 stock split, which will
become effective upon certain additional future corporate action. If the split
has become effective prior to the time at which the Board of Directors grants
the "Additional Option," the aforementioned number of stock options to be
granted to you, 62,500, will be adjusted (to 93,750) to reflect the correct
number of options following the stock split. The Additional Option shall vest
immediately on your employment commencement date. In the event that your
employment with Webvan Group is terminated voluntarily, by you,


<PAGE>   3
prior to August 30, 2000, (1) the Additional Option, to the extent not then
exercised, shall terminate as of the date of termination of your employment and
(2) any shares purchased by you pursuant to an exercise of the Additional
Option, which shall be subject to restrictions on sale by you prior to such
date, shall be subject to the Company's right to repurchase such shares at the
price paid therefor by you.

BENEFITS

You will receive the standard benefits for full-time Associates at Webvan Group.
These standard benefits are listed and explained in the Webvan Group Associate
Handbook, administered via TriNet Employer Group. A copy of the policies and
benefits section of the handbook will be provided for your information.

In addition, Webvan Group makes available a 401(k) plan to all employees at the
beginning of the month following Employee's date of hire. Eligible Employees may
elect to contribute up to 15% of their salary to the 401(k) plan, subject to the
legal maximum per year. The company will match 100% of the first $500 and 25%
thereafter up to a maximum Employer match of $2,000 per year of qualifying
Employee contributions. Further details will be provided in the 401(k) Plan
Handbook at the time of enrollment.

NON-DISCRIMINATION

Webvan Group is an equal-opportunity employer, and will not discriminate against
its employees or applicants in any employment decision or practice because of
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, age,
ancestry, physical handicaps, or medical condition.

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

You will be required, as a condition of employment, to sign a Proprietary
Information Agreement. A sample Proprietary Information Agreement is attached
hereto.

OUTSIDE WORK

All Webvan Group Associates are expected to devote their full energies, efforts,
and abilities to their employment. Accordingly, full-time Associates are not
permitted to accept outside employment on a full-time or part-time basis without
first obtaining their supervisor's written approval.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

The relationship between you and Webvan Group will be for an unspecified term
and will be considered at will. No employment contract is created by the
existence of any policy, rule or procedure in the Webvan Group Associate
Handbook, any Webvan


<PAGE>   4
Group document, or any verbal statements made to you by representatives of
Webvan Group. Consequently, the employment relationship between you and Webvan
Group can be terminated at will, either by you or Webvan Group, with or without
cause or advance notice.

In the event that your employment with Webvan Group is terminated without cause,
Webvan Group agrees that you will receive six months salary and benefits as
severance. In addition to this six month severance package, you will continue to
receive full salary and benefits for a period of up to another six months or
until subsequent employment is obtained.

PERSONNEL POLICIES

Webvan Group has an Associate Handbook. The policies in the Associate Handbook
govern the relationship between Webvan Group and its Associates. The policies
are hereby incorporated by reference. Acceptance of this offer binds the offeree
to follow the policies.

This offer is contingent on compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control
Act of 1986, which requires the company to verify that each employee hired is
legally entitled to work in the United States. Enclosed is a copy of the
Employment Verification form I-9, with instructions, as required by such act.
Please review and execute this document and be prepared to bring the appropriate
documentation on the day you first report to work.

We look forward to your favorable consideration of this offer and to the
commencement of a long and rewarding relationship.

Sincerely,

/s/ KEVIN R. CZINGER
- ------------------------
Kevin Czinger
SVP, Corporate Operations & Finance

I hereby acknowledge that I have reviewed the terms and conditions of this offer
of employment and have had the opportunity to consult with counsel. I hereby
accept the offer of employment upon the terms and conditions contained in this
letter.

Accepted:  /s/ GREGORY S. BEUTLER        Date: August 21, 1999
         ---------------------------          --------------------------
         Gregory S. Beutler

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.22




                         [WEBVAN GROUP, INC. LETTERHEAD]




July 25, 1999

Vivek Joshi
725 Stockbridge Drive
Erie, PA  16505

Dear Vivek:

We are very pleased to extend you an offer to serve as Vice President of Program
Management for Webvan Group.

We at Webvan Group believe that your skills, experience, and personal attributes
will enable us to be a leader in the development of this internet commerce
company.

This letter serves as an offer of employment to you from Webvan Group. The terms
of the offer supersede all prior oral and written communications between you and
Webvan Group or any representative thereof. Please sign this offer letter and
hand deliver or return by FAX (650-524-2933).

POSITION

Your job title will be Vice President of Program Management.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Your first date to report to work at Webvan Group, 1241 E. Hillsdale Blvd.,
Suite 210, Foster City, CA 94404, will be August 3, 1999.

DUTIES

You will report to Kevin Czinger, SVP of Corporate Operations & Finance. Your
primary responsibility will be to execute and manage the roll-out of Webvan's
distribution centers, along with other duties as assigned.


<PAGE>   2
SALARY

Your salary shall be $12,500.00 per month. This salary shall be paid bi-weekly.
Your salary shall be reviewed each January on an annual basis in accordance with
review procedures established by the Webvan Group Associate Handbook. In
addition, you will receive a "sign-on" bonus of $50,000.00, payable within two
weeks of your Effective Date. In the event that your employment with Webvan
Group is terminated voluntarily, by you, prior to February 3, 2000, you agree to
reimburse Webvan Group for the full amount of this "sign-on" bonus ($50,000.00).

INCENTIVE PLAN

You shall be granted an incentive stock option (the "Option") to purchase
250,000 shares of Webvan Group's common stock at an exercise price based on the
company's fair market value, which will be determined by the Board of Directors
as of your employment commencement date. The Option shall vest at the rate of
25% of the shares subject to Option at the end of twelve months and at the rate
of 6.25% of the shares subject to Option each three months thereafter, so that
100% of the Option shall be vested after four years, subject to your continued
full-time employment with the Company as of each vesting date. Except as
specified herein, the Option is in all respects subject to the terms and
conditions of the 1997 Stock Plan (the "Stock Plan") and standard form of option
agreement (the "Option Agreement").

You shall also be granted an incentive stock option (the "Additional Option") to
purchase an additional 62,000 shares of Webvan Group's common stock at an
exercise price based on the company's fair market value, which will be
determined by the Board of Directors as of your employment commencement date.
The Additional Option shall vest immediately on your employment commencement
date. In the event that your employment with Webvan Group is terminated
voluntarily, by you, prior to August 3, 2000, (1) the Additional Option, to the
extent not then exercised, shall terminate as of the date of termination of your
employment and (2) any shares purchased by you pursuant to an exercise of the
Additional Option shall be subject to restrictions on sale by you, and to the
Company's right to repurchase such shares at the price paid therefor by you.

BENEFITS

You will receive the standard benefits for full-time Associates at Webvan Group.
These standard benefits are listed and explained in the Webvan Group Associate
Handbook, administered via TriNet Employer Group. A copy of the policies and
benefits section of the handbook will be provided for your information.


<PAGE>   3
In addition, Webvan Group makes available a 401(k) plan to all employees at the
beginning of the month following Employee's date of hire. Eligible Employees may
elect to contribute up to 15% of their salary to the 401(k) plan, subject to the
legal maximum per year. The company will match 100% of the first $500 and 25%
thereafter up to a maximum Employer match of $2,000 per year of qualifying
Employee contributions. Further details will be provided in the 401(k) Plan
Handbook at the time of enrollment.

NON-DISCRIMINATION

Webvan Group is an equal-opportunity employer, and will not discriminate against
its employees or applicants in any employment decision or practice because of
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, age,
ancestry, physical handicaps, or medical condition.

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

You will be required, as a condition of employment, to sign a Proprietary
Information Agreement. A sample Proprietary Information Agreement is attached
hereto.

OUTSIDE WORK

All Webvan Group Associates are expected to devote their full energies, efforts,
and abilities to their employment. Accordingly, full-time Associates are not
permitted to accept outside employment on a full-time or part-time basis without
first obtaining their supervisor's written approval.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

The relationship between you and Webvan Group will be for an unspecified term
and will be considered at will. No employment contract is created by the
existence of any policy, rule or procedure in the Webvan Group Associate
Handbook, any Webvan Group document, or any verbal statements made to you by
representatives of Webvan Group. Consequently, the employment relationship
between you and Webvan Group can be terminated at will, either by you or Webvan
Group, with or without cause or advance notice.

In the event that your employment with Webvan Group is terminated without cause,
Webvan Group agrees that you will receive six months salary and benefits as
severance. In addition to this six month severance package, you will continue to
receive full salary and benefits for a period of up to another six months or
until subsequent employment is obtained.


<PAGE>   4
PERSONNEL POLICIES

Webvan Group has an Associate Handbook. The policies in the Associate Handbook
govern the relationship between Webvan Group and its Associates. The policies
are hereby incorporated by reference. Acceptance of this offer binds the offeree
to follow the policies. This offer is contingent on compliance with the
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which requires the company to verify
that each employee hired is legally entitled to work in the United States.
Enclosed is a copy of the Employment Verification form I-9, with instructions,
as required by such act. Please review and execute this document and be prepared
to bring the appropriate documentation on the day you first report to work.

We look forward to your favorable consideration of this offer and to the
commencement of a long and rewarding relationship.

Sincerely,

/s/ KEVIN R. CZINGER
- ------------------------------------
Kevin Czinger
SVP, Corporate Operations & Finance

I hereby acknowledge that I have reviewed the terms and conditions of this offer
of employment and have had the opportunity to consult with counsel. I hereby
accept the offer of employment upon the terms and conditions contained in this
letter.

Accepted:   /s/ VIVEK JOSHI             Date:  7/26/99
         ------------------------             -----------------------

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.23

                        [WEBVAN GROUP, INC. LETTERHEAD]

October 2, 1999



Bob Swan
17441 Hawksview Lane
Chagrin Falls, Ohio  44023


Dear Bob:

We are very pleased to extend you an offer to serve as a Vice President of
Finance for Webvan Group.

We at Webvan Group believe that your skills, experience, and personal attributes
will enable us to be a leader in the development of this internet commerce
company.

This letter serves as an offer of employment to you from Webvan Group. The terms
of the offer supersede all prior oral and written communications between you and
Webvan Group or any representative thereof. Please sign this offer letter and
hand deliver or return by FAX (650-524-2933).

Position

Your job title will be Vice President of Finance.

Effective Date

Your first date to report to work at Webvan Group, 1241 E. Hillsdale Blvd.,
Suite 210, Foster City, CA 94404, will be October 4, 1999.

Duties

You will report to Kevin Czinger, SVP of Corporate Operations & Finance. Your
primary responsibility will be to lead the development of financial procedures
and manage financial operations for Webvan Group, along with all other duties as
assigned.

Salary

Your salary shall be $25,000.00 per month. This salary shall be paid bi-weekly.
Your salary shall be reviewed each January on an annual basis in accordance with
review procedures established by the Webvan Group Associate Handbook.

<PAGE>   2

In addition, you will receive a "sign-on" bonus of $450,000.00. In the event
that your employment with Webvan Group is terminated voluntarily, by you, or by
Webvan Group for cause, prior to April 4, 2000, you agree to reimburse Webvan
Group for the full amount of this "sign-on" bonus ($450,000.00).

Incentive Plan

You shall be granted a stock option (the "Option") to purchase 812,500 shares of
Webvan Group's common stock at the fair market value, which will be determined
by the Board of Directors on your date of grant. This Option will be an
incentive stock option to the extent permitted under the IRS rules and a
nonstatutory stock option as to any remaining shares. The Option shall vest as
to 62,500 shares subject to the Option on the date your employment commences and
as to the remainder of the shares subject to the Option at the rate of eight and
one-third percent of the shares subject to Option each three months beginning
after twelve months from the date your employment commences, so that 100% of the
Option shall be vested after four years, subject to your continued full-time
employment with the Company as of each vesting date; provided, however, that
with respect to the 62,500 shares that vest on the date your employment
commences, the Option (and any shares purchased prior to such date by you) shall
be forfeited in the event that your employment with Webvan Group is terminated
voluntarily, by you, or for cause, prior to April 4, 2000, as follows: (1) the
Option to the extent not then exercised, shall terminate as of the date of
termination of your employment and (2) any shares purchased by you, which shall
be subject to restrictions on sale by you prior to April 4, 2000 (unless your
employment is terminated prior to such date other than voluntarily by you or
with cause) shall be subject to the Company's right to repurchase such shares at
the price paid therefor by you. Except as specified herein, the Option is in all
respects subject to the terms and conditions of the 1997 Stock Plan (the "Stock
Plan") and standard form of option agreement (the "Option Agreement").

You shall also be granted an additional stock option (the "Additional Option")
to purchase an additional 187,500 shares of Webvan Group's common stock at $3.33
per share. This Option will be a nonstatutory stock option. The Option shall
vest on the date your employment commences; provided, however, that the Option
(and any shares purchased prior to such date by you) shall be forfeited in the
event that your employment with Webvan Group is terminated voluntarily, by you,
or for cause, prior to April 4, 2000, as follows: (1) the Option to the extent
not then exercised, shall terminate as of the date of termination of your
employment and (2) any shares purchased by you, which shall be subject to
restrictions on sale by you prior to April 4, 2000 (unless your employment is
terminated prior to such date other than voluntarily by you or with cause) shall
be subject to the Company's right to repurchase such shares at the price paid
therefor by you. Except as specified herein, the Additional Option is in all
respects subject to the terms and conditions of the 1999 Nonstatutory Stock
Option Plan (the "NSO Plan") and standard form of option agreement (the "Option
Agreement")

Page 2

<PAGE>   3

thereunder.

In addition, in the event you are terminated by Webvan other than for cause,
your right to exercise each of the Option and the Additional Option to the
extent set forth in this offer letter shall expire on the expiration date set
forth in the Option and the Additional Option on the date of grant.

Benefits

You will receive the standard benefits for full-time Associates at Webvan Group.
These standard benefits are listed and explained in the Webvan Group Associate
Handbook, administered via TriNet Employer Group. A copy of the policies and
benefits section of the handbook will be provided for your information.

In addition, Webvan Group makes available a 401(k) plan to all employees at the
beginning of the month following Employee's date of hire. Eligible Employees may
elect to contribute up to 15% of their salary to the 401(k) plan, subject to the
legal maximum per year. The company will match 100% of the first $500 and 25%
thereafter up to a maximum Employer match of $2,000 per year of qualifying
Employee contributions. Further details will be provided in the 401(k) Plan
Handbook at the time of enrollment.

Non-Discrimination

Webvan Group is an equal-opportunity employer, and will not discriminate against
its employees or applicants in any employment decision or practice because of
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, age,
ancestry, physical handicaps, or medical condition.

Proprietary Information

You will be required, as a condition of employment, to sign a Proprietary
Information Agreement. A sample Proprietary Information Agreement is attached
hereto.

Outside Work

All Webvan Group Associates are expected to devote their full energies, efforts,
and abilities to their employment. Accordingly, full-time Associates are not
permitted to accept outside employment on a full-time or part-time basis without
first obtaining their supervisor's written approval.

At-Will Employment

The relationship between you and Webvan Group will be for an unspecified term
and will be considered at will. No employment contract is created by the
existence of any policy, rule or procedure in the Webvan Group Associate
Handbook, any Webvan

Page 3

<PAGE>   4

Group document, or any verbal statements made to you by representatives of
Webvan Group. Consequently, the employment relationship between you and Webvan
Group can be terminated at will, either by you or Webvan Group, with or without
cause or advance notice.

In the event that your employment with Webvan Group is terminated by Webvan
Group without cause, Webvan Group agrees that (a) you will receive six months
salary and benefits as severance and (b) the portion of each of the Option and
the Additional Option which is unvested on the effective date of your
termination shall vest and become exercisable to the extent each would have been
exercisable had you remained employed for a period of six (6) months following
the effective date of such termination. In addition to this six month severance
package, you will continue to receive full salary and benefits (but not
additional vesting of either the Option or the Additional Option) for a period
of up to another six (6) months or, if earlier, until subsequent employment is
obtained.

"Cause" as used in this offer letter shall mean (i) your engaging in conduct
that constitutes wilful gross neglect of or gross misconduct in carrying out
your duties hereunder (other than a failure to perform your duties resulting
from your incapacity due to mental or physical illness), unless you reasonably
believed in good faith that such action or inaction was in the best interests of
Webvan Group, (ii) any act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty, or any other
act or acts on your part constituting a felony under the laws of the United
States or any state thereof, (iii) the unauthorized use or disclosure of
confidential information or trade secrets of Webvan Group or any other
intentional misconduct that adversely affects the business or affairs of Webvan
Group in a material manner, or (iv) your use of narcotics, liquor or illicit
drugs which, as determined by Webvan Group's Board of directors, has a
detrimental effect on your ability to perform your employment responsibilities.

Personnel Policies

Webvan Group has an Associate Handbook. The policies in the Associate Handbook
govern the relationship between Webvan Group and its Associates. The policies
are hereby incorporated by reference. Acceptance of this offer binds the offeree
to follow the policies.

This offer is contingent on compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control
Act of 1986, which requires the company to verify that each employee hired is
legally entitled to work in the United States. Enclosed is a copy of the
Employment Verification form I-9, with instructions, as required by such act.
Please review and execute this document and be prepared to bring the appropriate
documentation on the day you first report to work.

Page 4

<PAGE>   5

We look forward to your favorable consideration of this offer and to the
commencement of a long and rewarding relationship.

Sincerely,

/s/  Kevin R. Czinger
- -------------------------------------
Kevin Czinger
SVP, Corporate Operations & Finance





I hereby acknowledge that I have reviewed the terms and conditions of this offer
of employment and have had the opportunity to consult with counsel. I hereby
accept the offer of employment upon the terms and conditions contained in this
letter.



Accepted: /s/ Robert H. Swan                         Date:
          ----------------------------------------         ---------------------


<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1



INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the use in this Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement No.
333-84703 of Webvan Group, Inc. of our report dated March 5, 1999 (August 5,
1999 as to the second sentence of Note 1 and as to Note 15 and September 21,
1999 as to the first paragraph of Note 7) appearing in the Prospectus, which is
a part of such Registration Statement, and to the reference to us under the
headings "Selected Financial Data" and "Experts" in such Prospectus.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
San Jose, California
October 11, 1999


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