Prioritise throughput (orders/hour), pick accuracy, inventory turnover, dock-to-stock time, and receiving velocity. Confirm WMS/API integration, real-time reporting, returns handling, temperature control if required, contingency capacity, and onboarding timelines. Compare SLA penalties and performance history to align expectations.

Evaluate proximity to major State Highways for road freight, practical access to regional ports and airports for intermodal moves, scheduled parcel and LTL carrier pickups, and local carrier density for last-mile routes. Verify consolidation options, transit windows, and tracking capabilities to manage cost and service trade-offs.

Higher storage density and optimised pick-paths reduce space and handling costs; automation and zone picking raise throughput and lower per-order labour but may change pricing structure. Dedicated temperature zones and validated cold-chain controls increase operating cost but reduce shrink and compliance risk. Model cost-per-order across peak periods to assess trade-offs.

Negotiate flexible storage tiers and surge capacity terms, clear pick/pack and handling rates by SKU profile, transparent inbound receiving and chargeback rules, defined SLA metrics with remedies, and scalable minimums. Include review windows for pricing, audit rights, and clear exit/transition terms to reduce operational and financial exposure.