Karen M. Kroll, Contributing Writer
An experienced freelance writer with a focus on business and corporate and consumer finance, Karen has written articles, blog posts, whitepapers, and case studies for both B2B and consumer audiences. She is a long-time contributor to Inbound Logistics. Her articles have also appeared in numerous consumer and trade publications, including AARPBulletin.com, Bankrate.com, Business Finance, CFO, CreditCards.com, and Financial Executive.
Articles by Karen Kroll
Lush Gets a Store-Level Inventory Control Makeover
Lush, the cosmetics company known for its fresh and handmade products, has experienced tremendous growth. Across the globe, it boasts more than 850 store locations, including more than 250 in North America.
Mastering the Last Mile of Premium, Perishable Food
For the past decade, Crowd Cow has partnered with ethical farms, fisheries and other food producers from around the world to source sustainable, quality beef, seafood, pork, and other items. By sourcing from small farms and managing the processing, Crowd Cow can bring its products to many consumers who otherwise might not have access to them. At the same time, Crowd Cow offers many of its suppliers a customer base they might struggle to reach.
For Shauna Bowen, Curiosity and Accountability are Non-Negotiable
Shauna Bowen embraces three pillars of leadership—servant leadership, transparency, and a growth mindset—to power Radial’s digital transformation and help clients achieve their goals.
3PL Longevity: How They Survive and Thrive Through the Decades (or Centuries)
Here are the core strategies—from continuous disruption to customer focus—that have helped some leading third-party logistics providers grow and succeed for generations.
Zach Thomann: The Accidental Supply Chain Nerd
Zach Thomann is chief operating officer with iHerb, one of the largest online retailers specializing in health and wellness.
Breaking the Ice: Innovation Reinvents Cold Chain Logistics
As global demand for temperature-sensitive goods surges, a block of innovation—including smart sensors, automation, and solid-state cooling—is reshaping the cold chain, one hand-off at a time.
Burning Ships, Embracing Change, and the Power of ‘Who, Not How’
By adopting a “burn the ships” mentality, balancing empathy with accountability, and building the right team, Josh Dunham, CEO of Reveel, navigates constant industry changes and fosters a culture of innovation.
FASTER D2C: Unpacking Fast Fulfillment and Delivery
As same-day delivery becomes the norm, businesses harness supply chain visibility, strategic inventory placement, and AI to master the intricate balance between expedited fulfillment and shipping and ever-tightening customer expectations.
Norfolk Southern VP Reveals How He Puts the Customer First: Talk Less, Listen More
Stefan Loeb is vice president, business development, first- and final-mile markets, with Norfolk Southern Corporation, which operates a 22-state freight transportation network.
Intermodal: A Smart Way to Ship (and Save)
Rail mergers, cutting-edge technology, and nearshoring continue to transform intermodal and multimodal transportation, slashing costs and boosting sustainability. Here’s how to navigate this dynamic landscape for maximum efficiency and resilience.
How Erin Mitchell Grows a People-First Powerhouse
Erin Mitchell is building a company from scratch in a time of supply chain uncertainty, leveraging technology and a unique leadership style to drive growth and keep her team motivated.
GNC’s Inventory Takes Flight
GNC, a leading health and wellness brand, was looking to streamline its system for conducting physical inventories. Because the system was largely manual, and given the number of employees and the amount of equipment required for each inventory session, GNC would complete only several full cycle counts each year.
Supply Chain Reset: 7 Trends Remaking Manufacturing
Through reshoring, retooling, and redefining resilience, manufacturers are embracing a new normal shaped by volatility, vision, and the drive to stay ahead.
Karla Trotman: Wired to Reshape Manufacturing
From cutting wires for quarters to leading a multi-million-dollar electronics company, Karla Trotman says legacy, grit, and humility power her approach to business, family, and the future of American manufacturing.