Evaluate WMS and API integration, pick-and-pack throughput, ceiling height and racking density, dock and staging capacity, SLA flexibility for peak seasons, labor stability, and reversals processing. Also verify carrier connectivity, local delivery lead times, and cost-to-serve analysis to match service levels with margin targets.

Closer proximity to arterial routes reduces drayage and in-city transit, enabling tighter delivery windows and lower last-mile spend. For B2B, consistent carrier schedules and shorter pickup cycles improve truck utilization and lower per-order transport cost.

Prioritize high clear heights for dense racking, multi-level mezzanines for piece-pick zones, segregated returns and staging areas, sufficient dock doors and trailer parking, and a WMS with real-time inventory and multi-channel order orchestration.

Negotiate transparent fee structures (storage, receiving, pick-and-pack, returns), minimum throughput commitments, performance SLAs (OTD, order accuracy), chargeback terms, and review cadences. Run cost-to-serve models and include scalability clauses for seasonal volume changes.