Prioritize proximity to major highways and intermodal terminals, the presence of rail spurs or nearby ports/air gateways, and documented carrier lane density. Also evaluate dock configuration, cross-dock capacity, and scheduled carrier pickups to minimize dwell and reduce expedited freight use.

Review documented seasonal labor plans, flexible slotting and surge capacity, WMS features for split-case picking, and a defined returns workflow. Verify SLA performance during previous peak windows and request KPIs for order-to-ship time, pick accuracy, and return cycle time.

Model total cost-to-serve including inbound consolidation, storage density, pick/pack labor rates, local fuel and tolls, and carrier access. Factor in inventory carrying costs driven by transit times to key customers and expected order profiles to compare true landed cost between sites.

Require cloud-based WMS with API EDI integrations, real-time inventory visibility, ASN and barcode scanning, and documented audit trails. Confirm data security practices, SLA reporting cadence, and the ability to support lot/serial tracking or temperature controls if product-specific compliance is needed.