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5 Stars United Case Study: Automation Results

From manual spreadsheets to precise landed-cost allocation and FIFO COGS across six regions

−85% fewer COGS errors vs. spreadsheets
5 Stars United case study cover

A global ecommerce brand selling across six regions (USA, UK, Canada, Mexico, Australia, EU) at roughly $30M in revenue. 50+ SKUs across Amazon and TikTok Shop, with multi-vendor 3PL and cross-border freight.

Industry
Global ecommerce
Revenue
≈$30M annually
Catalog
50+ SKUs
Channels
Amazon, TikTok Shop
Regions
USA, UK, Canada, Mexico, Australia, EU
Supply chain
Multi-vendor 3PL
−85% reduction in COGS errors vs. spreadsheet process
The Problem

Spreadsheets couldn't keep up with global growth

As 5 Stars United scaled into six regions, costs and inventory lived in spreadsheets that no longer matched the size of the business:

  • Shared costs — freight, storage, and customs were not allocated cleanly per SKU or batch
  • Approximate COGS — estimated costs weakened both the P&L and SKU-level profitability views
  • Pricing decisions — markdowns and price changes lacked landed-cost clarity by region
  • Month-end — closing meant heavy manual COGS and channel work before anything reached QuickBooks Online
The Solution

Automated cost allocation and real-time financial visibility

NeonPanel replaced the spreadsheet stack with one ledger the finance team could defend:

  • Landed-cost allocation — freight, duties, and storage allocated to batches by weight, volume, and value rules
  • One operating view — fabrication, in-transit, 3PL, and FBA/AWD inventory in a single picture
  • FIFO COGS at sale — batch-level cost recognition instead of estimates
  • QuickBooks Online sync — journals and balances tied directly to the ledger
  • Reporting — COGS, SKU margin, and finance-led pricing and markdown decisions
Outcomes

Key results in the first 6 months

25+ Hours saved per month Via automation and QuickBooks Online sync
+15% Increased profitability On key SKUs through dynamic pricing updates
−85% Fewer COGS errors In cost allocation vs. the spreadsheet process
+20% Cash flow improvement From clear cost visibility in purchasing and markdown timing
+10% Amazon revenue growth Driven by better pricing and markdown decisions

NeonPanel has been a game-changer for us. We no longer have to rely on estimates for our COGS or pricing decisions. The integration with QuickBooks Online alone has saved us hours of manual work and made our financial reporting significantly more accurate. The system has transformed our cost tracking and allowed us to optimize pricing with confidence. It's a critical tool for our growth in multiple markets.

Anna Samsonova Chief Operating Officer, 5 Stars United

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