Dunnes Stores was Irish shoppers' go-to supermarket in February as its market share grew to 22.9% - that's up from 22.5% in the same month last year.

This is the first time that it has topped the Kantar Worldpanel's supermarket index for two consecutive months.

It's followed by SuperValu which remains hot on Dunne's heels with a 22.6% market share.

Tesco sales dropped by 1.0% as eleven days of strike action led to disruption for the retailer. This was a turnaround from three months of sustained growth.

David Berry, director at Kantar Worldpanel, commented on the data: "Dunnes’ shoppers are adding more to their baskets, helping the retailer to maintain the title of Ireland’s largest supermarket this month.  The grocer’s “Shop & Save” initiative is continuing to influence customers, with the average basket featuring an extra one and a half items – an additional €3 per trip and €25m for the retailer in the past 12 weeks."

The average spend in Supervalu also increased - rising by €1 per trip.

Aldi and Lidl have continued to attract more Irish customers, they have respective year-on-year sales growth of 5.3% and 4.1%. Together they account for more than 21% of the market.

Grocery market inflation stands at 0.5% for the 12 week period ending 26 February 2017, down from the 0.7% seen last month.