FORTUNE: What Nordstrom’s new tie-up with Fanatics tells us about its e-commerce strategy

Nordstrom has long been known for higher-end evening wear and tailored suits, but starting Thursday, the upscale department store's clientele will be able to shop for a new category of merchandise altogether, licensed sports team products, in a test case for the retailer's ambitious e-commerce goals.

In its first such arrangement with a vendor, Nordstrom will initially sell pro sports teams' jerseys, shirts and hats from online licensed sports gear giant Fanatics' on its web site only. But here is the twist: Nordstrom won't be physically handling the merchandise or filling the orders, leaving that to Fanatics. This is called "drop-shipping" in retail parlance…