Prioritize throughput capacity, fulfillment tech (WMS and carrier APIs), SLA performance history, scalability of labor, inbound/outbound dock configuration, and proximity to last-mile carriers. Also review value-added services (kitting, returns), security, and contingency plans for peak demand and transportation disruptions.

Infrastructure — highways, nearby ports, and railheads — directly affects pickup/delivery windows, consolidation opportunities, and mode choice. Facilities close to main corridors yield shorter drayage, higher carrier density, and more frequent LTL and parcel runs, improving predictability and reducing freight spend.

Key cost drivers include storage density (pallet positions), labor rates and productivity, inbound handling fees, pick-and-pack pricing, value-added service charges, slotting and replenishment frequency, and transportation access fees. Model total landed cost per order rather than unit rates alone.

Focus on order cut-off times, same-day/next-day fulfillment capability, returns processing turnaround, inventory visibility, and SLA penalties. Verify carrier mix for residential deliveries, experience with peak-season surges, and technology for real-time tracking and exception management.