Coca-Cola has retained its position as the number one brand in the Republic, according to a survey of 100 brands by Checkout magazine.

The ratings are based on sales through grocery outlets. The research, done in association with AC Nielsen, put Lucozade in second position and Jacobs in third place. The magazine, which serves the retail sector, said the Irish consumer was still showing an affinity for branded goods,despite the growth of discounters and own-label products.

"The discounters may have gained market share through sales of unbranded products, but for many Irish consumers these brands are the key items that they purchase on a regular basis," said Checkout editor Terence Cosgrave.

Coca-Cola has been the number one brand for several years and the magazine said it had cemented its position with "a number of high level sports sponsorships in Ireland".

The drink has 32 per cent of the grocery carbonates market. Diet Coke also continued to outperform its competitors. The magazine said the company had realised that male and female consumers were equally important for the product's development.

The top 10 brands list contains several traditional Irish brands which have managed to beat off competition from British or international challengers. Among these are Tayto, Avonmore and Jacobs Biscuits. However Tayto's main rival, Walkers, also performed strongly and came in at number 20.

The survey also looked at the expanding wine market in Ireland and found Jacob's Creek was the top brand, followed by Blossom Hill and Rosemount. Budweiser was the highest-ranked beer brand, followed by Heineken and Guinness.