Prioritize carrier connectivity, dock and staging configuration, WMS compatibility and SLA guarantees for picking/packing. Evaluate local labor availability, peak-season scalability, value-added service capabilities (kitting, returns), and proximity to primary delivery corridors to minimize lead times and freight spend.

Measure drive-time to major customer clusters, feeder-road quality, and access to primary carrier lanes. Consider multimodal links, average transit times to key destinations, and the impact of regional bottlenecks on delivery windows and inventory safety stock.

Key cost drivers include storage density, labor rates, inbound/outbound handling fees, and fuel-related carrier surcharges. Negotiate by committing volume tiers, agreeing on SLA-based incentives, bundling value-added services, and securing periodic rate reviews tied to performance metrics.

Look for WMS with omnichannel routing, dedicated returns processing areas, cross-dock capability, scalable pick modules, and real-time inventory visibility. Confirm integration capabilities with your order management and carrier platforms and documented procedures for reverse-logistics workflows.