Catalyst Brands opens Bengaluru centre; hires 800 associates

Bengaluru: Catalyst Brands, formed from the merger of JCPenney and SPARC Group, has officially launched its India operations under the new name Catalyst Brands Business Services Ltd. This marks a new chapter for the Bengaluru-based global capability centre, which has a portfolio of six of America’s most recognised retail names: JCPenney, Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, and Nautica. 

The Bengaluru GCC will now expand its capabilities to become a hub for the entire Catalyst portfolio. With deep expertise in IT, stores and payment systems, digital and ecommerce, supply chain, finance, merchandising, marketing, and data and analytics, the GCC in India will play a central role in driving efficiency, innovation, and growth for over 60 million customers worldwide, the company said in a statement. 

"As Catalyst Brands, we bring together the rich heritage of six celebrated brands under a new vision for success that reflects our drive to spark innovation," said Marc Rosen, Chief Executive Officer, Catalyst Brands. "Our customers are at the heart of our business, and the expertise of our Catalyst Brands Business Services team in India is key to helping us expand our global reach and deliver quality and value for our customers."

Formed in 2025, Catalyst Brands is a $9 billion global retail powerhouse with 1,800 stores and a strong presence across e-commerce and wholesale channels. 

With over 700 associates and nearly a decade of operational excellence, the centre has been instrumental in building global technology and enterprise systems for JCPenney. As Catalyst Brands, it will take this impact further—removing redundancies, enabling faster collaboration, and shaping the future of a multi-brand retail ecosystem.

“India is not just supporting Catalyst Brands, it is helping shape our future,” said Kevin Harper, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Catalyst Brands. “As we embark on a new chapter of growth at Catalyst Brands, our Bengaluru team will be key to streamlining operations, embedding standardisation, and driving operational excellence across the board.”