Catalyst Brands combines SPARC Group's Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, and Nautica with JCPenney and its exclusive in-house labels such as Stafford, Arizona, and Liz Claiborne.

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.

JCPenney, a department store chain owned by Simon Property Group (NYSE:SPG) and Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM), has merged with SPARC Group to form a new company called Catalyst Brands. The joint venture will house SPARC's brands Aéropostale,