Assess dock door counts, cross‑dock capability, ceiling height and racking, temperature control, and available yard space. Verify WMS integrations (EDI/API), carrier connectivity, average carrier pickup frequency, SLA guarantees, and contingency capacity for seasonal peaks to ensure consistent throughput and visibility.

Faro often offers lower land and labor costs versus Lisbon or Porto, which can reduce base warehouse rates. Tradeoffs include smaller labor pools and fewer large‑scale cold storage options. Look for flexible lease terms, short‑term scalability and agreed seasonal rates to manage peak demand without long‑term commitments.

Prioritize integrated inventory visibility (real‑time WMS), reliable pick‑and‑pack throughput, returns processing, kitting/assembly, and multi‑carrier shipping options. Confirm ability to handle batch spikes, bespoke packaging, and SLA reporting for order accuracy and on‑time delivery across channels.

Model faster last‑mile delivery within southern Portugal, with longer lead times to northern Portugal and central Spain. Account for carrier consolidation windows and seasonal capacity shifts. Consider regional relay hubs or express services for pan‑EU lanes to maintain predictable transit times and customer experience.