Online auction site eBay has acquired barcode-scanning iPhone application RedLaser, in a move that it hopes will help its customers to order parcel deliveries more easily.

The application, developed by Occipital, is the top-selling product of its kind for making shopping comparisons from a mobile device, letting people make purchases conveniently wherever they are.

eBay will integrate RedLaser's technology into its existing iPhone applications, including eBay Marketplace and eBay Selling, to help customers find the best deals for nearly any product that carries a barcode.

Additionally, the formerly paid-for application will be free to use following the acquisition and more than 200 million eBay listings will be added to it, as well as inventories from more than 7,000 online stores.

"With RedLaser's innovative technology, eBay is continuing to help shoppers quickly find the best deals online and eBay sellers will be able to list their items faster," commented Mark Carges, chief technology officer of eBay Marketplaces.

It follows news that Supergroup, which sells youth fashion items, has hired leading eBay seller Chris Griffin as its head of e-commerce in recognition of his achievements.