Companies that try to handle e-commerce through their traditional store distribution centers soon learn that such facilities and their designs are ill-equipped to handle millions of individual orders placed through web sites, not to mention the quick delivery expectations of online customers.  Site selection for e-distribution centers is comparable in some ways to that of store retailers, but factors are weighed differently.  Key considerations include:

• Sales taxes and incentives
• Workforce quality and density
• Supply chain execution
• Real estate functionality

This paper looks at how and why e-tailing is driving overall retail growth, the special requirements of e-commerce distribution centers, and what to consider in selecting e-fulfillment sites.  It also examines anticipated future trends such as e-specific sales tax legislation, international e-commerce, and "F-commerce" using social media sites such as Facebook.