Catalyst Brands LLC

What do we love most about internship season? The fresh ideas, the great questions, and the chance to see our business through a new lens.   This summer, interns across our New York City and Plano offices got a firsthand look inside Catalyst Brands, contributing to projects spanning design, merchandising, technology, engineering, AI, and more. They gained hands-on experience, built connections across the business, and helped bring our brands to life.   Along the way, they stepped outside their day-to-day roles to tackle a cross-functional challenge: identifying growth opportunities across our portfolio and developing AI-powered solutions. The summer wrapped up with presentations to senior leaders, where interns shared their recommendations for the future.   A big thank you to the managers, mentors, and associates who shared their time, guidance, and encouragement throughout the program.   To our intern class: thank you for spending your summer with us. We're excited to see what's next for each of you and will be cheering you on along the way.

Catalyst Brands LLC associates across brands and cities showed up, showed out, and celebrated in full color this year, joining Pride parades in Dallas, New York City, Detroit, and Louisville. Coordinated by our Pride BRG, these events brought associates together to celebrate community, connection, and authenticity. From colorful Pride apparel and flags to proudly representing our brands in the communities where we live and work, each parade was a reminder of the power of showing up for one another. #PrideMonth #Pride2026

This summer, the mall is the ultimate destination and JCPenney and Aéropostale have teamed up to make every shopping trip even more rewarding. For the first time ever, Aéropostale has launched a loyalty rewards program, and the two iconic mall staples are connecting their programs so every dollar you spend at either store – online, in the apps, or in store – earns you real money to spend at both. Plus, complete new challenges rolling out all summer and earn a $5 CashPass each time. That’s the power of the Catalyst Brands LLC portfolio. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gPnGcDHh

In honor of #Juneteenth, Catalyst Brands LLC associates and their families participated in Opal’s Walk for Freedom in Fort Worth, TX. The walk is a national event led by Dr. Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” whose advocacy helped make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. The 2.5 mile walk symbolizes the two and half years it took for enslaved people in Texas to learn of their freedom after the Emancipation Proclamation. JCPenney, through its support of Unity Unlimited, Inc., has been a proud sponsor of Opal’s Walk for Freedom since 2022. You can shop JCPenney’s Hope & Wonder collection in honor of Juneteenth online and in stores: https://lnkd.in/grvpVw5V See below for photos from today’s event in Fort Worth. #OpalsWalkForFreedom #Opal100 #2026OWF

Since 2014, the City of Plano has hosted the Plano Mayor's Summer Internship Program to connect talented students enrolled in Plano ISD with the city’s vibrant business community. Given the brand’s prominence in the Plano community, Catalyst Brands LLC once again hosted this year’s class of over 90 interns at our Plano headquarters for the program’s orientation and a day full of learning sessions on mastering job interviews, understanding workplace culture, learning LinkedIn skills and dressing for success. The interns were also gifted a professional headshot from JCPenney Portraits by Lifetouch. See below for photos from the event. #JCPenneyPortraits #Internship #FutureofWork

Say hello to our Summer 2026 interns! Twenty-two talented students are joining us in our Plano and New York offices across Design, Merchandising, Marketing, Technology, Wholesale, and Logistics. Our program this year is more collaborative than ever, featuring a curriculum focused on the intersection of product development and AI. We can't wait to see the fresh ideas they bring to the table. Welcome to the team! #Internship #FutureOfWork

One of our differentiators at Catalyst Brands is the operating size and scale of our five legacy brands. Thanks to our Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Kumar “Kartik” Kartikeya, for highlighting the momentum we're building as we continue building on our mission to ignite America’s most beloved retail brands to make fashion accessible to all.

May is a busy month for our Business Resource Groups (BRGs) at Catalyst Brands LLC! This May, associates have come together to celebrate meaningful moments: ▪️ The Shalom BRG hosted a special fireside chat with CEO Marc Rosen and Chief Customer and Marketing Officer Marisa Thalberg in honor of #JewishAmericanHeritageMonth, exploring leadership, heritage, and the importance of celebrating traditions. ▪️ The Heroes BRG partnered with Carry The Load to bring associates together across our stores and distribution centers for #MemorialMay walks, honoring our nation’s fallen heroes. ▪️ The ASPIRE BRG led a guided meditation and desk yoga session recognizing both #AAPIHeritageMonth and #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, creating space for associates to pause, reflect, and prioritize well-being. We are proud of the engagement and impact our associates continue to drive. See below for photos from these events.

JCPenney Brand CEO Michelle DeMartini Wlazlo and other Catalyst Brands LLC leaders recently attended the Fashion Scholarship Fund's #FSFLive Gala, recognizing the Class of 2026 Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) Scholarship Recipients. This year's class is made up of over 160 talented students, including Catalyst Brands scholars Cassandra Castro and Jazmin Hernandez Arceo. We are proud to support FSF's mission to invest in the next generation of industry leaders. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eY_khCJT

Today, we lost a visionary leader whose impact on retail and our industry will be felt for generations to come.   David Simon, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of Simon Property Group, will be remembered as a highly regarded entrepreneur and a force in the industry. His leadership transformed Simon Property Group into the largest retail real estate company in the world and drove the acquisition of JCPenney, the co-founding of SPARC Group and, ultimately, their combination to create Catalyst Brands at the beginning of last year.   David believed in the future of physical retail and in the power of iconic American brands to thrive when given the right platform and purpose. Through Catalyst Brands LLC, we intend to honor and further that vision, making quality fashion accessible to everyone.   While this is a profound loss for those who knew him and worked alongside him, his legacy will continue to inspire us as we move forward.   Our deepest sympathies to his family and all those whose lives he touched.