Prioritize on-time shipment percentage, order cycle time, inventory accuracy, and dock-to-stock speed. Also evaluate WMS API maturity, multi-carrier connectivity, labor scalability, and access to cross-dock or consolidation services to control cost-to-serve and reduce exceptions.

Locating close to major corridors reduces line-haul miles, lowers freight spend, and improves delivery predictability, enabling shorter SLA windows (two‑day or same‑day). It also increases routing options and lowers reliance on premium expedited services.

Negotiate transparent slotting and labor rates, volume tiers, minimums, and clear chargebacks for exceptions. Include service level credits, seasonality clauses, and defined onboarding milestones. Consider blended per-order pricing for omnichannel mixes to align incentives.

Look for a modern WMS with real-time inventory APIs, proven carrier and marketplace integrations, support for B2B palletization and ASN management, returns processing, and reporting dashboards. Confirm automation readiness for throughput targets and peak season reliability.