Tesco is revamping its iPhone app to include a barcode scanner which the UK’s largest retailer has said is a first for the supermarket industry.

The app will enable users to scan the barcode of a Tesco product on their iPhone. The product will then be automatically added to their online shopping basket and wait there until the customer is ready to check out.

Tesco said the device saves time and is “particularly targeted at busy parents and time-poor professionals who want to be able to add specific items to their online shopping basket at anytime, and avoid running the risk of forgetting to add them to the ‘traditional’ shopping list”.

Tesco.com chief executive Laura Wade-Gery said: “We’re always looking for ways to make life easier for customers and for busy mums in particular. The barcode scanner will make online ordering much quicker for those that have an iPhone.  Customers can simply scan the barcode of grocery products stocked by Tesco whilst on the go and add them into their online shopping basket.

 “This is the perfect solution for iPhone lovers that are always forgetting to add items to their shopping list or haven’t the time to even write one.”

 The Tesco grocery app was launched two months ago and allows customers to ‘shop on the go’ by ordering groceries from their iPhone. Tesco said the app has “consistently featured” in the Apple App Store’s Top free apps.

It can be downloaded for free from the Apple iTunes Store.

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