Grocery Stocks: GAP, Costco Lead

Updated from 1:14 p.m. EDT

In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, widely held grocery stocks were in the green Tuesday as the broader market also endeavored to stay positive.

Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.(GAP Quote) was leading the group in percentage gains, with the stock price rising 7.8% to $5.11. Costco(COST Quote) was close behind, rising 4.4% to $43.98.

Elsewhere:

Wal-Mart(WMT Quote) was rising 2.5% to $50.

BJ's Wholesale(BJ Quote) was up 3.7% to $30.66.

Kroger(KR Quote) was up 1.3% to $21.40.

Whole Foods(WFMI Quote) was up 5.2% to $15.74.

Safeway(SWY Quote) was up 1.1% to $19.75.

SuperValu(SVU Quote) rose 0.8% to $15.22.

Winn Dixie(WINN Quote) rose 4.2% to $9.13.