Prioritize service-level agreements, inventory visibility and WMS integration, dock and slot capacity, handling capabilities (temperature control, kitting), and proximity to major carriers. Consider labor skill levels and peak-season scalability. A clear SLA on order-to-ship and return handling is essential.

Closer access to highways and rail terminals typically reduces transit variability and linehaul cost by enabling more direct routes and higher load consolidation. That translates into shorter lead times, lower per-unit freight, and improved schedule reliability for eCommerce and B2B deliveries.

Look for segregated cold-storage chambers, continuous temperature monitoring, dedicated returns bays, reverse-logistics workflows, and compliance workflows for food or pharmaceutical SKUs. Integration with a WMS that tracks quarantine and disposition statuses speeds throughput and reduces shrink.

Negotiate clear fee schedules (storage tiers, pick/pack, inbound receiving), minimum throughput commitments, indexation clauses for labor and fuel, penalties for missed SLAs, and defined onboarding costs. Consider volume discounts and periodic rate reviews to align costs with growth forecasts.