Prioritize facility metrics (dock doors, square footage, racking, cold storage), WMS capabilities and API/EDI integration, pick-and-pack flows, returns processing, security, and contingency plans. Review SLA templates, reporting frequency, and sample KPIs (OTD, order accuracy, inventory accuracy) before contracting.

Main cost drivers include land/rental rates, labor, inbound/outbound linehaul, fuel surcharges, and inventory holding. Optimize by increasing storage density, consolidating shipments, negotiating carrier contracts, using zone-skipping, and aligning inventory placement with demand patterns to reduce transit and handling expenses.

Assess access to regional pallet networks, scheduled linehaul frequency, last-mile partners, transit time windows, and peak season capacity. Verify real-world transit matrices to key postcodes, freight booking lead times, and liabilities for loss/damage. Strong carrier SLAs and contingency routing are essential for reliability.

Track on-time delivery, order accuracy, inventory accuracy, cost per order, lead time variability, return rate, and warehouse throughput. Establish monthly business reviews, SLA scorecards, exception reporting, and a roadmap for scale (temporary labor, seasonal storage, system enhancements) to ensure continuous improvement.