The 650-location department store chain has joined forces with the company behind names such as Eddie Bauer and Aéropostale to create a company called Catalyst Brands.

Six retail stores – one of which still has a presence in the Chautauqua Mall – are merging to form a new organization. JCPenney and the SPARC Group are forming Catalyst Brands. Other SPARC Group ...

JCPenney has weathered a bankruptcy ... “We’re also thinking through aspects like shared loyalty programs and credit cards that will make the customer experience more rewarding.