Retailers & Shop Business Loans: Compare Fast Financing Options
Summary: Fast Business Loans connects UK retailers and shop owners with specialist lenders and brokers to find business finance for stock, refurbishment, equipment, cash flow and expansion. Our free, no‑obligation enquiry is a soft eligibility check (not an application) and won’t affect your credit score. We help match retail businesses seeking loans of £10,000+ to the best providers so you receive tailored quotes quickly. Ready to compare? Get a 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.
Why Retailers Choose Fast Business Loans
Running a shop means juggling stock, seasonal peaks, card settlement delays and unexpected costs. Fast Business Loans makes it quicker and easier for retailers to find finance providers who understand these pressures.
- Sector‑aligned matches: We connect you with lenders and brokers experienced in retail finance, increasing your chance of a suitable offer.
- Speed: Short enquiry, fast matching — most retailers receive initial contact within hours.
- Free & no obligation: Submitting an enquiry costs you nothing and is not an application.
- Privacy & security: Data only shared with partners relevant to your request.
- Loans from £10,000 upwards: We work with partners who arrange funding for small to larger retail requirements.
Get Started — Free Eligibility Check
Fast Business Loans is an introducer; we do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. Enquiries are used to match you to lenders/brokers who may contact you with offers.
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.
Funding Solutions for Shops & Retailers
Below are common finance types retail businesses use. We’ll match your enquiry to partners who specialise in the most appropriate product for your needs.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Working Capital & Cash Flow Loans
Short‑term loans to cover cash‑flow gaps, seasonal peaks, or supplier payments. Typical sizes start from £10k, with terms from a few months to several years depending on lender and purpose.
Stock & Inventory Finance
Funding tied to inventory to help buy seasonal lines, bulk orders, or manage lead times from suppliers. Often structured around seasonal repayment profiles.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Merchant Cash Advance (MCA)
Advance against future card takings — repaid as a percentage of daily card sales. Useful for retailers with strong card volumes who need fast access to cash.
Asset & Equipment Finance
Finance to buy POS systems, refrigeration, shelving, or delivery vans. Options include hire purchase and leasing which spread cost while keeping equipment working for your business.
Fit-Out & Refurbishment Loans
Funding for store refits, rebranding, or accessibility upgrades. Lenders will consider projected uplift in revenues as part of their assessment.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Ecommerce & Omnichannel Expansion
Finance for website upgrades, fulfilment integration, stock for online marketplaces and omnichannel growth.
Not sure which suits you? Get a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match you to the right specialists.
Eligibility Snapshot for UK Retailers
Every lender has different criteria, but here’s a quick checklist to understand what lenders typically look for:
- Minimum borrowing: lenders usually start at £10,000 for many loan types.
- Trading history: many lenders favour businesses trading for 12+ months, though specialist lenders may consider newer businesses with strong plans.
- Turnover: indicative minimums vary by product; provide your recent turnover to get accurate matches.
- Card sales volume and EPOS reports: important for MCAs and cashflow products.
- Security: unsecured vs secured options will affect rates and eligibility.
- Adverse credit: some lenders specialise in higher‑risk profiles — tell us and we’ll match appropriately.
Submitting an enquiry performs a soft eligibility check and does not impact your credit score. If you choose to proceed with an offer, lenders may carry out full checks.
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.
How Our Matching Service Works
- Complete a short enquiry: Tell us about your business, funding amount and purpose.
- We match you: Your details are shared securely with a selection of lenders/brokers who best fit your needs.
- Receive a rapid response: Expect contact by phone or email to discuss options — many receive initial contact the same business day.
- Compare and decide: Review offers, choose the best fit and progress directly with the lender/broker.
Remember: the enquiry is not an application. It’s an efficient way to get matched to providers who can help. Start Your Free Eligibility Check.
Costs, Rates & Repayment Considerations
Rates and fees vary based on product, lender, your business profile and security offered. The examples below are indicative only:
- Unsecured business loans: typically higher rates; terms 1–5 years.
- Secured loans & asset finance: lower rates where assets or personal guarantees are provided.
- Merchant cash advance: expressed as a factor rate or total repayment; cost depends on daily sales volume.
Always compare total cost, APR where available, fees for early repayment, and the effect on monthly cash flow. Our matched brokers will explain these clearly — there’s no obligation to proceed.
Illustrative Case Snapshots
These examples are for illustration only.
1. Boutique bridging stock gap
Loan: £25,000 short-term stock loan. Term: 6 months. Outcome: stocked seasonal ranges and increased seasonal revenue 30%.
2. Convenience store refrigeration upgrade
Loan: £60,000 asset finance. Term: 4 years. Outcome: improved product range, reduced waste, increased margins.
3. Online retailer scaling fulfilment
Loan: £45,000 to upgrade order management and fulfilment. Term: 3 years. Outcome: reduced shipping times and increased conversion rate.
Want to see what we could secure for your shop? Get Quote Now
Preparing a Strong Retail Finance Application
Make your enquiry more effective by preparing the following:
- Recent management accounts and last 12 months bank statements.
- EPOS or card takings report showing monthly/seasonal turnover.
- Details of stock levels and supplier terms.
- Any existing finance agreements (outstanding balances and monthly payments).
- Brief plan for how funds will be used and repaid (cashflow forecast if possible).
Having clear documents speeds up the matching and approval process. When you’re ready, Upload details securely — start here.
FAQs for Retail Business Loans
Do you work with high street and online retailers?
Yes. We match both bricks‑and‑mortar shops and ecommerce retailers to lenders who understand each model’s cash‑flow characteristics.
Will my credit score be affected by an enquiry?
No. Submitting an enquiry triggers a soft eligibility check only. Lenders may carry out hard credit checks only if you choose to proceed with an offer.
How fast can funding arrive?
Timelines vary by product and lender. Some lenders can provide funds within 24–72 hours after documentation is complete; others take longer for secured or larger facilities.
Can I get finance if my takings are mostly card‑based?
Yes. Merchant cash advances and many unsecured lenders consider strong card volumes favourable. Provide EPOS/card reports for best matching.
What if I already have existing loans?
We can help explore refinance and consolidation options as well as additional funding — tell us about outstanding facilities so we can match appropriately.
Are there fees to use Fast Business Loans?
No. Our service is free for business owners. We receive commission from partners only if you progress with an offer.
Compliance, Transparency & Next Steps
Fast Business Loans is an introducer. We do not lend and we do not provide regulated financial advice. All finance is subject to lender terms and status. Enquiries do not affect your credit score.
Your details are shared securely and only with selected lenders or brokers who can help. We encourage you to read offers carefully and seek independent advice if unsure.
If you’re ready to explore options and get matched quickly, complete our short enquiry — it takes less than 2 minutes: Get a Free Eligibility Check.
No obligation. No fee for business owners. Enquiries typically receive a response the same business day.
For more detailed sector guidance for retailers see our dedicated retailers page on the site: retailers shop business loans
– What types of retail business finance can I compare?
You can compare working capital and cash-flow loans, stock/inventory finance, merchant cash advances, asset and equipment finance, fit-out/refurbishment funding, ecommerce expansion finance, and refinance/consolidation options.
– How fast can funding arrive for my shop?
Expect contact the same business day and, once documents are complete, some lenders can fund within 24–72 hours, while secured or larger facilities may take longer.
– Will checking my eligibility affect my credit score?
No—our free enquiry uses a soft eligibility check only, with any hard search done later by a lender if you choose to proceed.
– What’s the minimum loan amount for retailers and shop owners?
Our partners typically arrange retail finance from around £10,000 upwards.
– Do you help both high street shops and online retailers?
Yes—we match bricks-and-mortar stores and ecommerce retailers with lenders who understand each model’s cash flow.
– Can I get finance with bad credit or limited trading history?
Some specialist lenders consider adverse credit or younger businesses where there’s evidence of turnover and a solid plan.
– What information do I need to provide to get matched quickly?
Prepare recent management accounts, 12 months’ bank statements, EPOS/card takings reports, stock and supplier details, any existing finance, and a brief use-of-funds plan or cash-flow forecast.
– How do repayments work and can I settle early?
Loans are usually repaid monthly while MCAs take a small percentage of daily card sales, and many providers allow early settlement subject to any fees.
– How are rates and total costs decided for shop business loans?
Pricing varies by product type, security (secured vs unsecured), your turnover and credit profile, so compare APR/total repayable and any fees or early repayment charges.
– Is this an application and do you charge a fee?
No—this is a free, no-obligation enquiry to match you with suitable UK lenders/brokers, and we act as an introducer, not a lender.