Prioritize proximity to major highways and customer clusters, throughput capacity (dock doors, storage density), WMS and integration capabilities, SLA and measurement reporting, scalability for peak seasons, and proven carrier relationships that support your service mix and cost targets.

Carrier access and transit times directly affect promised delivery windows and shipping cost tiers. Warehouses closer to urban centers reduce last‑mile charges and transit variability; consolidation and cross‑dock options can lower parcel costs and improve predictability for cutoff times and same‑day or next‑day promises.

Expect modern WMS with API/EDI connectivity, inventory visibility and cycle count processes, configurable pick/pack rules, support for ASN and bulk pallet movements, seasonal labor plans, and proven procedures for onboarding new SKUs and scaling throughput during peak demand.