Sparc Group, the parent company of Forever 21 and Aéropostale, announced it merged with JCPenney to create a new company called 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.

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

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, 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,

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 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,