Catalyst Brands combines SPARC Group's Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, and Nautica with

JCPenney and SPARC Group today announced that they have combined to form a new organization, Catalyst Brands, creating an unmatched portfolio of six iconic retail banners that celebrate the essence of American style.

The transaction was announced Jan. 8 with the new company launching with $9 billion in revenue, 1,800 stores and 60,000 employees.

The department store chain said that the all-equity merger brings its banner and various exclusive private brands under the same umbrella as Sparc’s portfolio, which includes Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand and Nautica.

JCPenney is merging with a company that owns several other retailers that have also struggled as malls have declined in popularity across the U.S. The 123-year-old department store chain and SPARC Group have combined to form Catalyst Brands,

JCPenney and SPARC Group announced their merger to form Catalyst Brands, combining six major retail brands under one portfolio.

Key Takeaways JCPenney has agreed to merge with SPARC Group, which owns brands including Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, and Lucky Brand.The combined company, Catalyst Brands, has a combined $9 billion in annual revenue and 1,

JCPenney has merged with the owner of several retail brands to create a brand new company. On Jan. 8, JCPenney merged with SPARC Group, the owner of the following companies: Through the merger, JCPenney and SPARC Group created Catalyst Brands.

JCPenney announced Thursday the company merged with SPARC Group, to form a larger retail organization called Catalyst Brands.