Summary — Quick answer
Fast Business Loans connects UK retailers with lenders and brokers who specialise in shop and retail finance. If your business needs working capital, seasonal stock funding, fit-out or equipment finance (from around £10,000 upwards), submit a short enquiry and we’ll match you with the most relevant providers quickly — there’s no cost and no obligation. Start a Free Eligibility Check now: Get Started – Free Eligibility Check.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Retail & Shop Business Loans: Funding Support for UK Retailers
Retailers face unique cashflow cycles, stock demands and capital needs — whether you run a high-street shop, multiple outlets, or a hybrid retail/e-commerce operation. Fast Business Loans doesn’t lend directly. Instead we save you time by introducing you to lenders and brokers who specialise in retail funding so you can quickly compare practical options and receive tailored quotes.
How Fast Business Loans Supports UK Retailers
We act as an introducer: tell us about your business and funding need and we match you with lenders/brokers who best fit your sector and situation. Our service is free to use and designed to be quick and straightforward.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
- Fast matching with relevant lenders and specialist brokers
- Sector expertise — partners experienced with retail finance needs
- No obligation — you decide whether to proceed with any lender
- Confidential and secure handling of your enquiry
Submit your enquiry in under 2 minutes: Free Eligibility Check.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Current Funding Challenges Facing Retailers
Retail margins, rising costs, and growing online competition mean many retailers need timely working capital. Common pressures include:
- Seasonal stock purchases (e.g., Christmas, summer peaks)
- Refurbishments, new store fit-outs and POS upgrades
- Cashflow gaps while waiting for settlements or trade payments
- Investment in e-commerce, delivery channels and inventory management
Key point: accessing the right product quickly — from inventory finance to short-term working capital — can prevent lost sales or missed seasonal opportunities.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Finance Options We Can Introduce for Retail & Shop Businesses
Our panel includes partners able to arrange a wide range of retail finance solutions. Typical options include:
Unsecured Working Capital Loans
Quick access to cash without specific asset security. Good for short-term cashflow and smaller investments.
Invoice Finance & Merchant Cash Advances
Invoice finance unlocks cash tied up in unpaid invoices. Merchant cash advances provide rapid funds based on future card takings — useful for high-card-volume retailers.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Asset & Equipment Finance (Fit-outs, POS, Fixtures)
Spread the cost of new equipment or shop refits using hire purchase, lease or asset finance structures.
Stock & Seasonal Inventory Funding
Short-term stock finance supports buying larger quantities for seasonal peaks without draining day-to-day cashflow.
Quick Comparison: Retail Finance Options
| Purpose | Typical Amounts | Repayment Style | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsecured Working Capital | £10k–£250k+ | Monthly instalments | Short-term cashflow & growth |
| Invoice Finance | £10k–£2m+ | Advance against invoices; fees | Businesses with invoiced trade customers |
| Merchant Cash Advance | £10k–£500k | Repayments via card takings (percentage) | High card-sale retailers needing speed |
| Asset / Equipment Finance | £10k–£1m+ | Lease or hire-purchase | POS, fit-outs, machinery |
| Stock / Seasonal Finance | £10k–£1m+ | Short-term loan or inventory facility | Pre-peak stock purchases |
Typical Loan Amounts, Terms & Costs
Fast Business Loans can introduce brokers and lenders who work on facilities starting around £10,000 and upwards. Loan terms and costs vary widely by product, lender and the business’ credit profile.
Indicative ranges (for guidance only):
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
- Short-term working capital: 3–24 months
- Asset finance: 1–5 years (or longer for property-secured lending)
- Invoice finance: facility limits sized to monthly invoice volumes
Rates and fees are set by lenders; when matched, brokers will provide clear indicative terms. Figures are illustrative — actual offers depend on individual circumstances and lender underwriting.
Eligibility Snapshot for Retailers
While each lender has its own rules, a general eligibility guide:
- Minimum trading history: often 6–12 months for many lenders (varies by product)
- Minimum facility size: typically £10,000 and above
- Turnover and profitability: depend on lender and product
- Credit history: lenders will assess director and company credit; some specialist lenders accept adverse histories
Tip: have recent management accounts, bank statements and VAT returns available to speed the process.
Fast Business Loans Matching Process
Our matching process is simple and transparent:
- Complete a short enquiry form with business details and funding need (under 2 minutes).
- We match you with selected lenders/brokers from our panel who specialise in retail finance.
- Partners contact you to discuss terms and request further documents if needed.
- Compare quotes, choose a provider and proceed directly with the lender or broker.
Start your retail funding enquiry: Submit a Free Eligibility Check.
Information & Documents Lenders Commonly Request
Having these ready speeds decision-making:
- Company registration details and ownership structure
- Recent management accounts (usually last 3–12 months)
- Business bank statements (typically 3–6 months)
- VAT returns and sales evidence (especially for invoice/stock finance)
- Details of any existing borrowing or outstanding CCJs
Some asset finance requires supplier invoices or quotations for the items to be funded.
Use Cases: How Retailers Apply New Funding
Retail borrowers often use finance to:
Inventory expansion before peak season
Borrowing to stock up for busy periods avoids missed sales when suppliers offer bulk discounts.
Shop refurbishment & POS upgrades
Asset finance spreads the cost of refurbishments and new checkout systems while preserving working capital.
Launching an ecommerce or delivery service
Funding for website builds, delivery vans or initial marketing to grow omnichannel sales.
Responsible Borrowing & Compliance Notes
Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender, and we do not provide financial advice. Our role is to connect you with lenders and brokers who can provide detailed terms. Submitting an enquiry is not a loan application; it gives partners information to assess suitability and respond with options.
We aim to be clear, fair and not misleading. Lenders may perform credit checks if you proceed to application — submitting an initial enquiry will not affect your credit score. We handle your data securely and only share with relevant finance partners to help with your funding request.
For peace of mind, ask any provider you speak with for a written summary of costs, fees and repayment terms before committing.
Why Retailers Choose Fast Business Loans
Retailers pick us because we deliver:
- Speed — rapid matching to specialist partners
- Sector expertise — lenders who understand retail trading cycles
- Transparency — no charge to you for our matching service
- Choice — compare multiple solutions and pick the best fit
“Matched us with a broker who understood seasonal stock needs — quote arrived within 24 hours.” — anonymised retail client
Free Eligibility Check – Speak to Trusted Brokers
Learn more about specialised options for shops: retailers & shop business loans
Frequently Asked Questions
Can new retailers apply?
Yes — some lenders specialise in supporting newer retailers, but available products and limits vary. Make the details of trading performance clear in your enquiry so we can match you appropriately.
Will an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — submitting an initial enquiry does not affect your credit score. Lenders may carry out formal credit checks later if you decide to apply.
How quickly can I receive funds?
Timescales depend on product and lender. Some merchant cash advances or short-term loans can be provided in days; larger secured facilities take longer.
Do you work with franchise retailers?
Yes — our panel includes brokers experienced with franchise structures; include franchise details in your enquiry.
Can I apply after a previous decline?
Possibly. Because we match you to a broad panel, a different lender or a specialist broker may be able to help even after a previous refusal. Provide full details to improve matching.
Ready to Explore Your Retail Finance Options?
If you need funding for stock, fit-outs, POS, cashflow or growth, Fast Business Loans can connect you to lenders and brokers who specialise in retail finance. Complete a short enquiry and we’ll match you with the right partners — it’s free and there’s no obligation.
Get Started Today – Free Eligibility Check
Fast Business Loans is an introducer and does not provide loans or direct financial advice. Any terms and quotes are supplied by the lender or broker responding to your enquiry.
1) What types of retail finance options can you introduce?
We match UK retailers with unsecured working capital loans, invoice finance, merchant cash advances, asset/equipment finance, and stock/seasonal inventory funding.
2) Are you a lender, and will an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—Fast Business Loans is an introducer, and completing our free eligibility check is not a loan application and won’t affect your credit score.
3) How quickly can retail businesses receive funding?
Some working capital loans or merchant cash advances can fund in a few days, while larger or secured facilities typically take longer.
4) What are typical loan amounts and terms for shop financing in the UK?
Facilities generally start from around £10,000, with 3–24 months for working capital and 1–5 years for asset finance, subject to lender assessment.
5) What eligibility criteria do lenders look for?
Many lenders prefer 6–12 months’ trading, suitable turnover, and acceptable credit, though some specialists consider newer businesses or adverse credit.
6) What documents do I need for a retail business loan?
Expect to provide recent management accounts, 3–6 months of bank statements, VAT returns/sales evidence, company details, and any existing borrowing information.
7) Can new or franchise retailers apply for finance?
Yes—our panel includes lenders and brokers experienced with newer and franchise retailers, with limits and products based on performance and structure.
8) Can I fund seasonal stock, shop refits, or POS upgrades?
Yes—inventory finance and short-term working capital support seasonal stock, while asset/equipment finance can fund refurbishments and POS systems.
9) What will a retail business loan cost?
Rates and fees vary by product, lender, and credit profile, and matched brokers will provide clear indicative terms before you decide.
10) How does the Fast Business Loans matching process work, and is there any obligation?
You submit a quick enquiry, we connect you with relevant UK lenders/brokers who provide quotes, and there’s no cost or obligation to proceed.