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.
Retailers & Shop Business Loans — Connect with Trusted Lenders Fast
Summary: Running a shop means managing stock, seasonal peaks, fit-outs and unpredictable footfall. Fast Business Loans does not lend — we quickly match retail businesses seeking £10,000+ with the most suitable lenders and brokers. Complete a short enquiry (not an application) for a free, no‑obligation eligibility check and get matched to providers who can help. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.
Why retailers need flexible finance today
Retailers face tight margins and fluctuating demand. Rising stock costs, higher energy bills, online competition and the need to invest in omnichannel technology make working capital and project finance more important than ever. Many shops need short-term injections for seasonal stock, medium-term loans for refits and longer-term funding for expansion.
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.
Rather than spending days contacting multiple lenders, a simple enquiry with Fast Business Loans helps you explore options quickly so you can keep shelves stocked and customers satisfied. Get Quote Now.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
How Fast Business Loans supports UK retailers
We are an introducer: we don’t lend or provide regulated financial advice. Our role is to match your business to lenders and brokers who specialise in retail finance. Using your brief enquiry we identify partners that understand your sector and funding need, saving you time and improving your chance of a suitable offer.
Our simple 4-step process
- Quick enquiry — tell us about your business and funding need (takes 2 minutes).
- Match — we select lenders/brokers who fit your industry and loan size.
- Contact — a partner may call or email to discuss terms and request documents.
- Decide — compare offers and choose the lender that suits you.
Our service is free to business owners and there’s no obligation to proceed after an enquiry. Free Eligibility Check.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Common funding scenarios for shops & retailers
Seasonal stock purchases & inventory
Retailers often need capital before seasonal peaks. Trade and stock finance or short-term business loans bridge the gap between buying stock and selling it.
Shop fit-outs & refurbishments
Refurbishing a sales floor or installing new displays requires funding. Secured loans, asset finance or fit-out finance can spread the cost while you remain open for business.
E‑commerce, POS & technology upgrades
Upgrading an e-commerce platform or POS system can increase sales. Equipment or asset finance funds hardware and software with predictable repayments.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Working capital during footfall dips
If sales drop unexpectedly, an unsecured business loan or overdraft-style product can maintain payroll, rent and supplier payments until trade recovers.
Expanding to new premises or franchise units
Expansion needs larger sums and may require secured or commercial property finance; we’ll match you to lenders used to retail growth finance.
Types of retail finance you can compare
Different finance types suit different needs. Below is a quick comparison to help you decide what to explore.
| Finance type | Typical retail use | Typical amounts | Security | Decision speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unsecured business loan | Working capital, small refurb | £10,000–£250,000 | None or personal guarantee | 24–72 hours (once docs supplied) |
| Secured loan / commercial mortgage | Premises purchase, major refit | £50,000–£5m+ | Property or asset | 1–6 weeks |
| Merchant cash advance | Card-sales based stores for fast cash | £10,000–£200,000 | Repaid via card takings | Within days |
| Asset & equipment finance | POS, refrigeration, shelving | £10,000+ | Funded asset | Few days |
| Trade & stock finance | Bulk stock purchases, seasonal buys | £25,000–£500,000 | Purchase orders/inventory | 1–2 weeks |
Want to compare options for your shop? Get Quote Now.
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.
Retail funding eligibility & what lenders look for
Lenders will assess the viability of your business and the purpose of funds. Typical factors include:
- Minimum trading history and turnover — varies by product and lender.
- Profitability or credible forecasts for seasonal businesses.
- Card takings and POS data for merchant-style products.
- Personal credit profiles of directors (where applicable).
- Available security (assets, property or stock).
We work with lenders who accept a range of credit histories and trading profiles; complete an enquiry to see who might match your business. Free Eligibility Check.
What information you’ll need for the enquiry
Our short enquiry asks for basic details so we can match you quickly. Have these to hand:
- Business name, registration type and address.
- How long you’ve been trading and approximate annual turnover.
- How much you need (we work with loans from £10,000 and above) and what it’s for.
- Recent bank statements and any financial statements available.
- Contact details for a quick follow-up from our partners.
Submitting details is not an application — it’s used to match you to the right lenders or brokers. Start Your Free Eligibility Check.
Step-by-step: from enquiry to funding
Typical timeline (subject to lender requirements):
- Enquiry: complete the short form (2 minutes).
- Matching: we connect your enquiry to relevant partners (same/next business day).
- Lender contact: partners may request documents and run checks.
- Offer comparison: you receive one or more offers to compare terms.
- Funding: once you accept and complete lender checks, funds are released per lender timescales.
Please note: each lender sets their own criteria and decision timeframes. Fast Business Loans simply introduces you to potential providers; offers and approvals are made directly by lenders/brokers.
Retail finance FAQs
Do I need a physical shop to apply?
No — we connect both bricks-and-mortar and online retailers to suitable lenders. Some products favour card-based sales or physical stock, but many lenders will consider e-commerce businesses.
Can I apply if I’ve been declined elsewhere?
Yes. We work with a wide panel of partners and different lending criteria; an enquiry can reveal alternative routes you may not have tried.
How quickly can I receive funds for stock purchases?
It depends on the product. Merchant cash advances and some unsecured loans can fund within days once paperwork is approved. Secured or property-related finance can take several weeks.
Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — making an enquiry through Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit score. Lenders may run credit checks later if you choose to progress an application.
Is Fast Business Loans free to use?
Yes. Our service is free for businesses. We receive a fee from partners if you take out finance through them, but there is no charge to submit an enquiry.
If you still have questions, contact our retail finance team or Get Quote Now.
Get started — retailers & shop business loans
Ready to explore finance for stock, a refit, technology upgrades or working capital? Complete a short, no‑obligation enquiry and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers who specialise in retail. This is not an application — it’s a quick way to see your options.
Start Your Free Eligibility Check
Fast Business Loans is an introducer and does not provide credit or regulated financial advice. All finance is subject to lender terms, status and affordability checks. We typically help businesses seeking £10,000 and above.
For sector-specific guidance see our retailers page: Retailers & Shop Business Loans.
1) What is Fast Business Loans and how does it work for retailers?
Fast Business Loans is a UK introducer that quickly matches retailers and shop owners seeking £10,000+ with trusted lenders and brokers via a free, no‑obligation eligibility check.
2) Do I need a physical shop to apply?
No—both bricks‑and‑mortar stores and online retailers can be matched to suitable providers based on turnover, card takings, and stock profile.
3) What types of retail finance can I compare?
You can compare unsecured business loans, secured loans/commercial mortgages, merchant cash advances, asset and equipment finance, and trade or stock finance.
4) How fast can I get funds for stock or cash flow?
Subject to documents, some unsecured loans and merchant cash advances can fund within days, while secured or property‑backed finance usually takes 1–6 weeks.
5) Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—the enquiry is not a loan application and won’t affect your credit score; checks are only done by lenders if you choose to proceed.
6) Is your service free and am I obliged to take an offer?
Yes—the service is free for businesses and there’s no obligation to proceed after your eligibility check or when comparing offers.
7) What can shop business loans be used for?
Typical uses include seasonal inventory, shop fit‑outs and refurbishments, POS and e‑commerce upgrades, working capital during footfall dips, and expansion to new premises or franchises.
8) How much can retailers borrow?
Our partners typically consider £10,000 to £5 million+ depending on the product, security available, trading history, and affordability.
9) What do lenders look for in retail funding applications?
Lenders assess trading history and turnover, profitability or forecasts, card takings/POS data, directors’ credit profiles, and available security such as property, assets, or stock.
10) Can you help if I’ve been declined elsewhere or have imperfect credit?
Yes—we work with a broad panel of lenders and brokers with varied criteria, so an enquiry may reveal alternative options even if you’ve been refused before.