In a groundbreaking move for the sports card market, Burbank Sportscards has sealed an exclusive deal with Fanatics Collect, announcing the listing of its massive inventory of 40 million sports cards on the recently launched platform. This collaboration, coming just 11 days after the inception of Fanatics Collect, is anticipated to be a major highlight at the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention.
Having been a dominant force on eBay since 2003, with an impressive track record of over 6.8 million items sold, Burbank Sportscards has established itself as a top seller in the industry. The shop has also navigated the Beckett Marketplace since 1999, selling an additional 7.2 million cards, solidifying its standing within the card trading community.
Chris Lamontagne, president of Fanatics Collect, expressed his excitement about the partnership with Burbank Sportscards, citing Rob Veres, the owner, as a top choice for collaboration. Lamontagne shared his positive impression after visiting the store and emphasized the need for a business relationship, highlighting the potential benefits for both parties.
For Rob Veres, the agreement with Fanatics Collect represents a golden opportunity to elevate the business to new heights. The plan entails listing trading cards on Fanatics team shops alongside popular merchandise like caps and jerseys, ensuring a diverse representation of players and teams in the marketplace.
While acknowledging the challenges of moving away from eBay, Veres recognized the importance of taking risks to drive growth. The decision to explore this exclusive partnership signifies a bold step towards expansion and innovation in the evolving sports card industry.
To facilitate the transition, Burbank Sportscards is preparing for a shift to a larger 14,000-square-foot facility, equipped with in-store kiosks for on-demand card orders. These kiosks will grant customers access to a stock of 25 million cards, retrievable by staff members while customers wait.
The integration of all 40 million cards into the Fanatics Collect platform poses an immediate challenge, one that Burbank intends to tackle with its advanced in-house inventory system. The gradual listing process is expected to kick off within the next month, with cards initially exclusively available in-store at Burbank for a brief window before being featured on Fanatics Collect.
In contrast to other sellers whose cards are fulfilled by Fanatics, Burbank will manage its own fulfillment operations. Veres envisions a potential expansion of the current 25-person retail and e-commerce team to 50 within half a year to meet the rising demand for cards.
Despite the complexities ahead, Veres remains optimistic about the move, seeing possibilities for exclusive card drops on the platform and active participation in upcoming Fanatics events. He envisions limitless opportunities for growth and exposure, a refreshing change from the constraints faced in previous marketplaces.
Both Burbank Sportscards and Fanatics Collect are committed to a long-term partnership driven by ambitious goals. Fanatics aims to attract and retain a new wave of customers, while Veres is focused on sustained sales growth. In addition to an extensive collection of low-end cards, Burbank plans to expand its high-end card inventory on the platform, broadening its market influence and welcoming fans from around the globe to discover its offerings.