Prioritise location relative to major highways and ports, warehouse layout (racking, dock doors, cross-dock lanes), throughput capacity, WMS/API capabilities, KPIs (pick accuracy, order cycle time), labor skill and flexibility for seasonal surges, returns handling, security and insurance, and clear pricing for storage, picks, and value‑added services.

Proximity to key routes reduces last-mile km and transit time to urban centers, lowering fuel and LTL charges. Good road access to Colombo port/air cargo hubs shortens export/import lanes. Assess carrier density for LTL/FTL, pickup frequency, and consolidation options to optimize delivery windows and reduce per‑order transport cost.

Negotiate transparent unit rates (storage, handling, pick/pack), minimums, seasonal surcharges, SLA definitions (lead time, accuracy, on‑time delivery) with remedies/penalties, billing cadence, inventory reconciliation intervals, audit access, termination terms, and responsibilities for shrinkage and force majeure events.

Consider multi-site when you need faster delivery to multiple demand zones, reduce risk from single-site disruptions, manage seasonal peaks, or lower landed transport costs. Use Kegalle for regional consolidation, cross-docking, or overflow capacity when volumes exceed a single hub's throughput or when improved coverage reduces overall distribution spend.