Reports earlier in the week had suggested that BBH was on the verge of being appointed to the work, but this has been vehemently denied by both Woolworths and the agency. The other agencies on the shortlist are WCRS and TBWA\London.
Bates has worked on the account for 17 years, with its most recent campaign featuring the comedian Paul Kaye.
Octavia Morley, marketing director at Woolworths, said that Bates and BBH had been for meetings with the company, but so had all the agencies on the shortlist.
"There has genuinely been no decision on the agency," she said, but added that she hoped the process would be finished soon.
Morley is to decide on the agency along with her team; Mark Trinder, director of brand communications; and Trevor Bish-Jones, chief executive of Woolworths.
The retailer is also holding a pitch for an agency to provide strategic PR advice.
Yesterday, Woolworths unveiled its full-year results, showing it had returned to profit, after recording a pre-tax loss of 拢46m in 2001, compared with 拢38m profit in 2002. The company said it expects to sell 20m chocolate eggs during the run-up to Easter this year.
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