Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week

Carrefour again grabbed the headlines this week, with speculation intensifying that there could be change of leadership at the company. just-food understands an announcement is due in days. Elsewhere in retail, Asda outlined its expansion plans in the UK and we spoke to the CEO of Spar International about the symbol group's ambitions in India. Meanwhile, Premier Foods admitted more jobs could be lost at the company, we took a look at why US baker Hostess Brands filed for Chapter 11 and, in our latest Sustainability Watch, we discussed HJ Heinz's CSR strategy.

FRANCE: Carrefour to make CEO announcement in days
An announcement on the role of CEO at global retail giant Carrefour is looming, according to just-food sources.

GLOBAL: Arla outlines 2012 investment plans
Dairy giant Arla Foods plans to invest DKK1.88bn (US$333m) this year to increase capacity, improve efficiency and make the company more competitive.

UK: More Premier jobs to go after Cadbury contract loss
More jobs are to go at UK food maker Premier Foods plc after the country's largest food manufacturer lost one of its contracts to supply Cadbury.

EU: Brussels targets EU states flouting egg ban
The European Commission is taking legal action against 14 EU member states that it thinks are failing to comply with new laws banning the keeping of hens in battery cages.

UK: Asda to invest GBP500m in stores, logistics
UK supermarket chain Asda will create 5,000 jobs as part of a GBP500m (US$777m) investment in the business this year.

INDIA: Spar in talks to expand in India
Spar International is in talks with retailers in the India as part of a bid to grow its store network in the country.

Focus: Why US baker Hostess went stale
US brands Twinkies and Wonder are so iconic they are known the world over, even in markets where the products are not sold. Yet despite having these cultural touchstones in its portfolio, US baker Hostess Brands has struggled over the last decade, entering Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection twice, most recently this month. Sam Webb looks at why this baking monolith has started to crumble.

Sustainability Watch - Brian Shuttleworth, Heinz
In the first Sustainability Watch of 2012, Ben Cooper discusses Heinz's sustainability strategy with Brian Shuttleworth, the company's director of operational risk and sustainability, and looks at how Heinz's knack for creating catchy taglines is helping to communicate the sustainability message to consumers.

UK/EUROPE: Confectioner Zetar sets European sales target
UK confectioner Zetar is aiming to make GBP10m (US$16.5m) in sales in Europe over the next three years after opening its first office on the Continent.

GLOBAL: Barry Callebaut signs Unilever supply deal
Swiss cocoa and chocolate maker Barry Callebaut has signed a deal to supply Unilever's ice cream business.