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Catalyst Brands

Catalyst Brands LLC was formed in 2025 by the merger of SPARC Group and JCPenney.[1][2]

Copper Retail JV LLC is a business entity formed by and under the control of Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners, and Copper Bidco LLC.[3] In December 2024, Copper Retail JV acquired 100% of the outstanding equity of SPARC Group Holdings. The acquisition brought together Copper's existing investment in department store icon JCPenney and the newly acquired operations of specialty retail brands Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Lucky Brand Jeans, and Nautica.[4][5][6]

Marc Rosen, former CEO of JCPenney, leads Catalyst Brands.[7][8]

In January 2026, it was reported that Eddie Bauer was preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the third time, as well as the liquidation and permanent closure of all of its nearly 200 stores nationwide. The company's manufacturing, e-commerce, and wholesale operations are not expected to be affected by the potential bankruptcy filing, and will continue to remain operational as the licensee transfers to a new owner, Eddie Bauer Outdoor 5, LLC. The bankruptcy filing is expected to only include Eddie Bauer and no other subsidiaries of Catalyst Brands.[9]

Brands

See also

References

  1. JCPenney Joins SPARC to Form Catalyst Brands Women’s Wear Daily, David Moin, January 8, 2025^
  2. JCPenney, Sparc Group Merge To Form Catalyst Brands Nasdaq, January 9, 2025^
  3. FORM 8-K UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION^
  4. Lucky, Forever 21 Operator Merges With JCPenney Bloomberg, Eliza Ronalds-Hannon and Reshmi Basu, January 8, 2025^
  5. Jonathan Limehouse. JCPenney merges with Forever 21's parent company Sparc Group to create new entity USA TODAY, 9 January 2025^
  6. A zombie mall store king is born: JCPenney merging with new owner to create new company MSN, East Idaho News^
  7. A zombie mall store king is born: JCPenney merges with Forever 21 owner Jordan Valinsky, CNN, January 9, 2025^
  8. SPARC Group Has Merged With JCPenney to Form Catalyst Brands Business Wire, January 8, 2025^
  9. Jean Palmieri. Eddie Bauer Store Operator Expected to File Bankruptcy WWD, 2026-01-29, retrieved 2026-01-29^