The former department store executive now heads merchandising for the sport platform’s $7 billion Commerce division.

On the surface, it may seem like a far cry from Macy’s. But there are actually a lot of similarities between the department store and Fanatics Commerce, the merchandising arm of the licensed sports platform.

A little less than two years ago, Archibald joined Fanatics Commerce as chief merchandising officer, where he oversees all merchandising for the company’s online and physical channels. What that translates into is a business that will exceed $7 billion in sales this year.

Fanatics, which launched in 2011, started out as an e-commerce company selling licensed sports merchandise. But over 15 years, it has grown into a behemoth that has partnerships with more than 900 sports properties — from professional leagues to teams and colleges — operates more than 2,000 retail locations including all Lids stores, is the majority owner of Mitchell & Ness, has collectibles, betting and gaming divisions and runs the popular Fanatics Fest every summer.

The company is on pace to reach $14 billion in sales this year and the goal is to hit $50 billion in annual revenue over the next five to 10 years.

But as big as Fanatics has become, its singular focus continues to be on sports — markedly different from a multibrand retailer such as Macy’s, where Archibald spent around 16 years in two stints, rising to senior vice president and general manager of apparel, overseeing men’s, women’s and children’s.

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