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,

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 is combining with the owner of fellow shopping mall staples Aéropostale and Lucky Brand after a merger of two brand portfolios in an all-equity transaction Wednesday.