Most brands either overpay for empty space or run out of room at the worst possible time. The right amount of warehouse space depends on your pallet count, turn rate, and seasonal swings — not a round number on a lease.
Think in pallet positions, not square feet
3PLs price and plan around pallet positions — the number of pallets you have on the floor or in racking at once. Estimate your peak pallet count, add a buffer for receiving and staging, and you have a realistic starting point.
Plan for your peak, pay for your average
The advantage of a 3PL is flexible, usage-based billing. Instead of leasing for your Q4 peak and eating the cost all year, you scale space up and down as your inventory moves. Our 500,000+ sq ft facility in Commerce, CA absorbs seasonal spikes without a new lease.
Don't forget working space
- Receiving and inspection areas
- Pick-and-pack and staging zones
- Cross-dock space for fast-moving SKUs
- Room for returns processing
