RETAILING

S&P; Cuts Sears’ Debt Ratings: Standard & Poor’s Corp. lowered its ratings on $17 billion worth of Sears, Roebuck and Co. securities, citing doubts about the retailer’s revitalization plan. The credit rating firm lowered its senior debt and preferred stock ratings on Sears, Roebuck and Co. and its senior debt ratings for Sears Overseas Finance and Discover Credit Corp. to triple B plus from single A. S&P; said the actions reflected its concern about Sears’ ability to revive its flagging retailing operation. Sears said it was disappointed by the credit-rating firm’s actions. “We remain confident that the action plans we have outlined will make Sears a more successful competitor in the future,” Sears said in a statement.