Evaluate transit times to core markets, carrier pickup density, facility capabilities (racking, temperature control, cross‑dock), WMS and API integrations, and local labor availability. Also review proximity to interstates, rail ramps, and port connections to understand lane cost impacts and delivery windows.

Saint Paul Charlestown often offers lower real estate and labor costs than major coastal hubs, which can reduce per‑unit fulfillment expense. Carrier and intermodal access remains strong regionally, though some long‑haul lanes to distant coasts may have higher transit times — a trade‑off brands must model against landed cost and service targets.

Expect standard pick‑and‑pack, multi‑channel order routing, returns handling, kitting, labeling, B2B pallet consolidation, cross‑docking, and cold chain options where needed. Leading providers also offer WMS visibility, EDI/API connectivity, and configurable SLAs for peak scale.

Request historical KPIs and references, run a technology integration demo, conduct a site visit, and run a scoped pilot. Key checks include SLA definitions for accuracy and lead times, reporting cadence, failover procedures, and documented capacity plans for seasonal scale. Additional validation can include sample EDI/API exchanges and live order tests.