Focus on landed cost per order (storage, pick/pack, and outbound freight), average pick rates, order accuracy, labour stability, and slotting efficiency. Also evaluate slotting flexibility for peak season, dock capacity for cross‑dock throughput, SLA penalties, and integration maturity with your OMS/WMS to minimize lead times and returns cost.

Close access to primary motorways reduces national transit windows and carrier detours, enabling smaller parcels to consolidate for regional lanes. Proximity to port and air gateways shortens import lead times and enables multimodal routing—reducing landed costs and broadening carrier options for time‑sensitive and palletised freight.

Verify multi‑channel order routing, batch pick vs single‑order pick strategies, returns processing workflows, cold chain capability if needed, value‑add kitting, peak labour surge plans, and WMS API availability for real‑time inventory and shipment visibility. Confirm SLAs for order cutoffs and same‑day/next‑day dispatch where required.

Main cost drivers are storage density (racking vs block), labour utilization during peaks, outbound freight zones, and inventory carrying costs. Manage them through improved SKU velocity segmentation, tighter slotting, using multi‑temperature consolidation, negotiating zone‑based carrier rates, and staged capacity agreements with the 3PL for scalable labour.