Assess facility layout (racking, cross-dock space), WMS/TMS integration, SLA performance history, labor availability, and proximity to key carriers and ports. Include contingency planning for seasonal demand and natural hazards, and evaluate onboarding timelines and visibility tools that support omnichannel order routing.

Transportation cost drivers include distance to major seaports, availability of LTL and parcel networks, and frequency of sailings. Reduced transshipment and direct carrier links can lower last-mile spend; conversely, limited carrier density increases multi-leg handling and unit transport costs—factor these into cost-per-order and landed cost models.

Track order accuracy, on-time shipments, dock-to-delivery lead time, inventory accuracy, and cost-per-order. Monitor seasonal labor scalability, shrinkage rates, and exception resolution time. Define penalties and SLA credits for repeat performance gaps and require routine performance reviews with actionable remediation plans.

Model scenarios comparing proximity to ports and main highways versus lower land costs farther inland. Use cost-per-order and days-of-inventory analysis to determine the optimal balance; prioritize sites offering quick carrier access and scalable labor if fast delivery and high SKU velocity are core requirements.