Sears eyes systems as pitch lingers

Even as three shops await their fates on one major piece of business from Sears, Roebuck & Co., the giant retailer is about to embark on a major overhaul of its expansive, but outdated, marketing system.
Hal Riney & Partners/S.F., Young & Rubicam/N.Y. and Wells Rich Greene BDDP expect to hear next week which one won the retailer’s $40-million apparel division. The decision was supposed to have been made last week, but top Sears executives were meeting at a three-day marketing summit in Phoenix to discuss the presentations.
A spokesperson said the delay was due to scheduling problems.
Y&R was thought to have had the early lead, according to insiders, because of personal ties Y&R president Peter Georgescu has to Sears Merchandise Group head Arthur Martinez.