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 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 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 and retail store operator Sparc are merging to form a U.S. retailing behemoth called Catalyst Brands. Why it matters: The new company's owners comprise a consortium of so