Complex sentence: In 1979, Donaldson's acquired the James Black Company of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and in 1985 the company acquired its struggling rival The Powers Dry Goods Co. from Associated Dry Goods Corp., which gave it same breathing room against dominant rival Dayton's.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1979, Donaldson's acquired the James Black Company of Cedar Falls, Iowa. In 1985 the company acquired its struggling rival The Powers Dry Goods Co. from Associated Dry Goods Corp., which gave it same breathing room against dominant rival Dayton's.