Supermarket sales increased 3.4 percent in February from a year earlier on a same-store basis, an industry body said Tuesday. It was the second straight month of gain.

Food sales rose 5.2 percent, aided by the growing popularity of prepared foods. Sales of household products, ranging from furniture to electric appliances, grew 2 percent, according to the Japan Chain Stores Association.

There was a 1.2 percent increase in sales of clothing from a year before, it said.

The survey covered 9,371 supermarket stores run by 58 companies. Before adjustment for the number of stores, supermarket sales last month increased 2.4 percent to ¥995.23 billion.