German retailer Metro Group has launched a series of smartphone apps at the Mobile World Conference in Barcelona this week.

The company announced two new applications on Sunday (13 February), the MSA App and the Metrophone.

The MSA (Mobile Shopping Assistant) allows customers to scan barcodes with their mobile phones and add products to a virtual shopping cart. At the checkout, the barcode is read from the smartphone display, meaning there is no need to scan individual items at the checkout.

The Metrophone has been developed for Metro Cash and Carry’s professional customers. Metro Group said customers can select products, order and deliver through the mobile phone app. Customers can either choose products directly within the app or scan the barcode of desired articles.