Prioritize proximity to your end customers and major carriers to reduce transit zones; WMS and API integration for order routing and inventory accuracy; SLA performance for pick/pack and outbound shipments; scalable labor and storage capacity; and value-added services (kitting, returns) that match SKU complexity.

Compare line-item costs: storage per pallet/day, pick/pack fees, inbound receiving, kitting, returns handling, and technology charges. Add transport spend, chargebacks, and seasonal rate tiers to model cost per order at expected volumes and peak weeks to identify true landed fulfillment cost.

Look for WMS with real-time inventory, robust API/EDI connectivity, automated sortation or pick-automation for throughput, efficient slotting and batch-picking, scalable workforce management, and integrated returns processing to preserve SLA and inventory visibility across channels.

Carrier density increases competitive pricing and routing options; proximity to intermodal gateways reduces handling and transit time for long-haul freight; and closer access to parcel hubs or regional LTL nodes lowers zonal charges and enables faster, more reliable delivery windows.