Focus on port proximity, reliable State Highway 1 access, and rail connectivity for predictable trunking. Evaluate carrier agreements for LTL and parcel services, frequency of departures, consolidation options, and transit SLAs. Also check cross‑dock capability and handling for rapid turnover.

Expect generally lower land and rental costs versus major cities, which reduces storage and handling unit costs. Trade‑offs can include fewer local carrier frequencies and smaller regional labour pools; these are offset by targeted service SLAs, consolidation strategies, and predictable overland transit to primary markets.

Require an enterprise WMS with real‑time inventory, OMS and marketplace APIs, barcode scanning, lot and temperature control where needed, and returns processing. Ask for KPI reporting, SLA penalties, and scalable racking and labour plans to handle volume growth and peak season variability.

Assess contingency plans for alternative carriers, dual‑sourcing capacity, emergency labour ramps, and inventory buffers. Review historical performance data, on‑time metrics, insurance, and business continuity procedures. Confirm visibility tools and communication protocols for rapid exception management.