Prioritize transit time to primary customer zones, proximity to national highways and rail freight corridors, access to ports and airports for import/export, and last-mile carrier density. Also evaluate on-site capabilities such as cross-docking, cold chain, bonded storage, and direct carrier integrations that affect lead times and total landed cost.

Assess WMS and OMS integration, EDI/API connectivity to marketplaces and carriers, real-time inventory sync, and reporting. Review warehouse processes for pick-and-pack, lot and serial tracking, SLA adherence, and exception handling to ensure visibility and consistent omnichannel fulfillment performance.

Compare landed cost components: inbound handling, storage (per pallet/cubic meter), pick-and-pack fees, order minimums, kitting and returns processing, and outbound carrier rates. Factor in scalability discounts, labor models, and any value-added service charges to model true cost-to-serve across volumes.

Look for dedicated temperature-controlled zones with monitored HVAC, redundant power/backups, validated cold-chain processes, and clear SOPs for inbound sampling and quarantine. For returns, confirm reverse logistics workflows, inspection, refurbishment capabilities, and fast inventory reconciliation to minimize recovery time and shrink.