JCPenney and SPARC Group Join Forces to Create Catalyst Brands

JCPenney and SPARC Group have united to form Catalyst Brands, a new organization that brings together six iconic retail banners, including Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, Nautica, and JCPenney's exclusive private brands. Catalyst Brands launches with over $9 billion of revenue, 1,800 store locations, 60,000 employees, and $1 billion of liquidity.

The joint venture is owned by shareholders Simon Property Group, Brookfield Corporation, Authentic Brands Group, and Shein. The U.S. operations of Reebok have been sold, and strategic options for the operations of Forever 21 are being explored. Marc Rosen, former CEO of JCPenney, now leads Catalyst Brands, with three brand CEOs overseeing the portfolio.

The organization is focused on accelerating innovation, energy, and amplifying its impact. Catalyst Brands aims to provide high-quality fashion and style for all moments in life, leveraging its resources and industry talent to grow its brands further. With a strong emphasis on customer-centric approaches and data-driven technology, Catalyst Brands is well-positioned to offer a personalized shopping experience and unified loyalty programs across its brands.

The headquarters of Catalyst Brands is located in Plano, Texas, with additional offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle.