Popular fashion retailer JCPenney has merged with SPARC Group — the owner of iconic brands Aéropostale, Eddie Bauer, Nautica and more — to form new retail conglomerate, Catalyst Brands.

Newly formed Catalyst Brands launched at the start of the year as a joint venture including popular retailers such as Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, Nautica and JCPenney.

The merger also includes Brooks Brothers, Aéropostale, Lucky Brand, Nautica and Eddie Bauer. Catalyst Brands launched with 1,800 store locations and 60,000 employees. While specifics were not ...