Business Beat for Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014

Bob Marley heirs join US firm to launch pot brand

A U.S. private equity firm and the family of late reggae star Bob Marley hope to build what it calls the “world’s first global cannabis brand.”

Airbus to deliver first A350 jetliner in December

Airbus’ newest plane, which has a carbon-fiber composite fuselage, is a direct competitor to Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner. [Reuters]

Sears could lose appliance sales crown

Lowe’s could overtake Sears as the leading appliance seller in 2016 as the struggling retailer closes more stores, a Credit Suisse analyst writes. [Bloomberg]

United, Orbitz sue travel site over ‘hidden city’ tickets

Skiplagged.com helps consumers book a flight with one or more stops and then deplane before the flight reaches its final destination. [Businessweek}

Ford recalls Fusions; software causes key problem

Ford is recalling about 65,000 Fusion midsize cars in North America because the ignition keys can be removed if the transmission is not in park.

Groupon buys analytics, marketing startup Swarm Mobile

Groupon has acquired Swarm Mobile, a startup that helps businesses connect with and track their customers while in stores. [TechCrunch]

US indexes notch latest records

U.S. stock indexes closed at record highs on a positive outlook from homebuilders and better news from Japan and Germany.

ADM completes purchase of Specialty Commodities

Specialty Commodities provides healthy ingredients such as fruits, nuts, seeds and grains to makers of snacks, ice cream and pet foods.

Facebook launches new app for its Groups feature

The mobile app lets users create and interact with communities on the site, whether they’re based on hobbies, geography or culture.

Online grocer Peapod reaches website settlement

Internet grocer Peapod has agreed to make its website more accessible to disabled customers under a settlement agreement with the Justice Department.

Uber CEO condemns executive that suggested digging up dirt on critics

Uber’s CEO has taken to Twitter to condemn a company executive who suggested hiring a team of opposition researchers to investigate journalists.

Revlon tries to turn heads with new marketing push

The beauty products maker hopes to regain its lofty spot in the pecking order of cosmetic brands with its “Love is On” marketing campaign.

Nokia plots comeback with Android tablet

Nokia plans to bring its brand back to consumers with a new tablet just months after selling its ailing handsets unit to Microsoft.

Toyota to start sales of fuel cell car next month

There won’t be many and they won’t be cheap. Toyota hopes to sell 400 in Japan and 300 in the rest of the world in the first year.

Home Depot tops Street; breach costs still hazy

The nation’s biggest home-improvement retailer third-quarter profit rose 14 percent as comparable-store sales climbed in the U.S.