It’s been a milestone year for iconic global dancewear brand Capezio. After announcing its acquisition by private equity firm Argand Partners in April, the company revealed exclusively to Dance Retailer News yesterday that it is acquiring key assets from Discount Dance Supply (DDS), a leading online and catalog retailer serving dancers of all levels.
“We’ve had a tremendous commercialized working relationship with DDS over the years,” says Capezio CEO Michael Terlizzi of the acquisition, recalling flying to the company’s base in Anaheim, CA, in their early years of operation to help unload their first trailer of inventory. “Their employees are renowned and have tremendous spirit to serve the community. So for us, it’s just one plus one equals three—or more.”
On DDS’s side, president and CEO Amanda Pritchett shares: “For us, it was really about asking, ‘What does our next act look like, and how can we continue to provide the high-quality products and exceptional service we’re known for in the industry?’ This move just made sense.” She highlights the shared values between the two brands: “At our core, we both absolutely love and adore our customers—and dance. It’s about how we—two household names—can become better together. I think it’s a very exciting time for the space and for the consumer.”
What Will the Partnership Entail?
Under the agreement, Discount Dance Supply’s e-commerce operations, select inventory, and customer-facing programs will be integrated into Capezio’s platform. This move aligns with many of Argand’s strategic objectives for the brand. “A big goal we had was to bring more of our dance products to more people,” says Argand partner Joyce Schnoedl. “This partnership really accelerates and fulfills that vision.”
According to the press release, the key benefits of the partnership include:
- “Expanded Product Access: Dancers and select studios will gain greater access to Capezio’s innovative products alongside Discount Dance’s curated offerings.
- “Improved Service and Fulfillment: Integration of DDS’s established B2B and B2C channels into Capezio’s global infrastructure.
- “Support for Studios and Schools: Enhanced programs for dance studios, including Dress Code fulfillment and improved drop-ship capabilities.
- “Commitment to the Dance Community: Both companies remain dedicated to empowering dancers by offering superior products, innovative solutions, and authentic engagement with the art of dance.”
How Will Existing Relationships and Operations Be Affected?
When asked how Capezio will handle relationships with competing brands currently stocked and curated by DDS, Terlizzi explains that the team will evaluate each partnership individually during the integration process. “What I’ve learned in my time at Capezio is that we have to collaborate with other brands,” he says. “That’s very much in the spirit of bringing what our customers need.”
As the acquisition remains in its early stages, the transition will take time to implement, and any noticeable changes for customers will be gradual. Tom Nastos, advisor to Argand Partners, emphasizes that business will continue as usual—including DDS operating under its own name—through the remainder of 2025. He encourages customers to contact their existing representatives or service channels with any questions during this period.
What Will This Mean for Retailers?
Capezio’s drive to enhance its e-commerce channels through this acquisition could be seen by some retailers as a strategic shift toward a stronger direct-to-consumer focus. According to Terlizzi, that’s not the case. “I think our wholesalers will actually be excited to gain greater access to people and products in their trade areas,” he says. “They’ll be empowered by a new customer base and technologies that, while we’ve developed them ourselves, aren’t as advanced or as far along as DDS’s.”
Above all, Terlizzi believes the true value of the acquisition lies in its “human capital”—not only DDS’s employees, whose integration will be the first priority, but also the hundreds of thousands of customers who shop through its platform. By gaining deeper insight into what these customers want and when, Capezio will be able to make product fulfillment more timely and efficient. “So we’re not looking for a degradation of wholesale or retailer accounts; we’re looking for an augmentation to lift them up,” he says. “This is an industry uptick where I think everybody wins.”
Terlizzi acknowledges that major moves like this inevitably draw mixed reactions, recalling responses to Capezio acquiring Bunheads in 2014. Still, skepticism doesn’t deter him. “We have to ask ourselves: If our main focus is dancers, how are we going to make their lives better?” Terlizzi says. “If everyone across both companies—Capezio and DDS—keeps that in mind, it’s going to be a home run.”
Emily May is the editor of Dance Retailer News.