Business Briefs

— Employment in the retail sector fell 5.0 pct in the second quarter of 2011, reflecting higher dismissals from retail stores, with the exception of food and fuel stores, the Hellenic Statistical Authority announced on Thursday.

— Credit conditions worsened in the first eight months of the year, as a deep economic recession intensified an already tight credit activity in the country.

— Production of oil products is down significantly this year, after rising by 5.7 pct last year, helped by higher exports.

— Elinoil SA, a fuel distribution and trading company, on Thursday announced a deal to issue a five-million-euro bond loan.