Prioritize carrier connectivity (road and feeder shipping), throughput and storage density, accuracy and technology stack (WMS and EDI), SLA performance for pick‑pack cycles, and capability for value‑added services like kitting and returns. Also assess scalability, headcount stability, and local regulatory or tax considerations.

Proximity to coastal shipping and reliable road arteries reduces last‑mile miles and handling events, which lowers landed costs and lead times. Good multimodal access enables carrier mix optimization—using short sea or regional trucking—to balance speed and cost depending on SKU velocity and order profiles.

Regional locations often offer lower land lease and labor costs, reduced local congestion, and competitive utilities, which lower fixed and variable fulfillment costs. Expect tradeoffs in carrier density and some last‑mile premium for remote routes; model total landed cost, not just per‑pallet rent.

Require an integrated WMS with real‑time inventory visibility, scan‑based receiving and shipping, KPI reporting (OTD, inventory accuracy, order cycle time), and EDI/API connectivity. Monitor exception rates, pick accuracy, and recovery time for incidents to ensure continuous SLA adherence.