Retail Business Loans for UK Shops & Retailers
Summary: Fast Business Loans connects UK retailers and shop owners with lenders and brokers who specialise in retail finance — from stock and seasonal funding to fit-outs and omnichannel growth. We’re an introducer, not a lender. Complete a quick, no-obligation Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match your business with the most suitable finance partners for loans from around £10,000 and above. 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 trust Fast Business Loans
Running a shop means juggling stock purchases, rent, staff and seasonal shifts. Fast Business Loans helps by quickly introducing you to brokers and lenders who understand retail, reducing the time you spend searching and comparing. We don’t lend or provide regulated financial advice — we’re an introducer who connects you to providers that can help.
- Fast matching to lenders/brokers that specialise in retail finance.
- Access to sector-aware funding (stock, POS, seasonal, e‑commerce).
- No cost to use our service and no obligation to proceed.
- Clear, fair and not misleading information about your options.
Get Started — Free Eligibility Check (takes under 2 minutes)
Funding options tailored to shops & retailers
Retail businesses have a range of finance types available depending on need, trading profile and security. Below are common solutions our partners can arrange.
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.
Working capital & business loans
Unsecured or secured business loans for cashflow smoothing, expansion or refinancing. Suitable for planned investments and consolidations. Typical sizes start from around £10,000 upwards and lenders set terms.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Merchant cash advance & card turnover finance
Repayments linked to card takings — useful for seasonal shops or high-card-volume retailers who need flexible repayment tied to sales.
Inventory & seasonal stock funding
Short-term facilities to buy seasonal stock and avoid stock-outs at peak times. Often structured around purchase cycles and inventory needs.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Fit-out, refurbishment & POS finance
Funding for shop refits, display upgrades, EPOS systems or tills. Asset finance and hire purchase options can spread costs while preserving cash flow.
Vehicle & delivery fleet finance
Loans or leasing for vans and delivery vehicles for retailers operating local delivery or click-and-collect services.
E‑commerce & omnichannel expansion funding
Investment for website upgrades, digital marketing, stock integration and fulfilment tech to support online growth.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
We work with brokers and lenders offering solutions across a broad range — from short-term cashflow facilities to multi-year loans. Compare Retail Loan Options – Get Quote Now
Common retail challenges we help solve
Balancing stock purchases with cashflow
Challenge: Bulk buys tie up cash. Solution: Inventory finance or short-term working capital matched to your purchase cycle so you can buy stock without disrupting operations.
Managing seasonal peaks & troughs
Challenge: Large peaks in November/December or summer. Solution: Seasonal funding and merchant cash advance options that expand capacity during busy months and ease repayments in slower periods.
Financing refits, systems & tech upgrades
Challenge: Cost of refit or new EPOS. Solution: Fit-out and equipment finance that spreads cost and can be tailored to expected uplift from the investment.
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.
Funding marketing & omnichannel growth
Challenge: Need to invest in online presence and marketing. Solution: Growth loans or asset finance to fund web builds, inventory for online sales and fulfilment set-up.
Example: An independent fashion boutique used a short-term stock facility to purchase a seasonal collection; our partner arranged funding that avoided cashflow stress and led to a 35% seasonal uplift in sales.
Eligibility snapshot: who can apply?
Fast Business Loans introduces limited companies and trading businesses in the UK seeking loans from around £10,000 and above. Eligibility depends on lender criteria but typical considerations include:
- UK-registered trading business (limited companies and similar entities).
- Trading history — many lenders consider established trading records, though some partners can support newer retailers.
- Turnover and profitability — requirements vary by lender and loan type.
- Documentation: business bank statements, management accounts, VAT returns, and POS or sales data where relevant.
Submitting an initial enquiry does not affect your credit score. Lenders may carry out checks later if you decide to proceed. Check my retail loan eligibility
How the Fast Business Loans process works
Step 1: Complete a short enquiry form
Tell us about your business, the amount you need and why you need it.
Step 2: We match you with lenders & brokers
We use your details to introduce you to partners who specialise in retail and can consider your case.
Step 3: Discuss tailored offers
Providers contact you directly to request documents and outline terms. You compare offers and timings.
Step 4: Choose the best fit
No obligation — accept the offer that suits your business and complete the lender’s process.
We aim to provide initial matches quickly — often within hours during business days. Your data is handled securely and only shared with selected partners who can help. Start your retail funding enquiry
Responsible funding & compliance notes
We follow clear principles: provide information that is fair, clear and not misleading. Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender, and we do not give regulated financial advice. Finance is always subject to status and the lender’s terms. Some lenders may require security or personal guarantees depending on the size and risk of the facility.
If you need regulated advice, consider contacting an independent financial adviser. For general enquiries, request a call back.
What sets Fast Business Loans apart for retailers
- Sector-specialist matching — we prioritise partners with retail experience.
- Speed — short initial form and quick introductions.
- Choice — access to a wide panel of lenders and brokers to increase your chances of a suitable offer.
- Free to use — our service is provided at no cost to businesses; any lender fees are disclosed by the provider.
Retail finance success snapshot
High street fashion boutique
Challenge: needed seasonal stock but lacked cash. Solution: matched with an inventory finance broker; funding approved quickly, allowing timely purchase and a strong holiday season.
Convenience store
Challenge: tills and EPOS upgrade. Solution: equipment finance arranged that spread cost and improved checkout speed, increasing throughput.
Online-only retailer expanding to retail pop-ups
Challenge: short-term funding for pop-up fit-outs and stock. Solution: short-term business loan matched through our panel, enabling expansion without draining reserves.
Tips to prepare for a retail loan application
- Gather 6–12 months of business bank statements and recent management accounts.
- Prepare a simple cashflow forecast showing how funds will be used and repaid.
- Have EPOS or sales reports ready to demonstrate turnover patterns.
- Be transparent about existing liabilities — lenders ask and it speeds decisions.
- Decide whether you can offer security or prefer unsecured options; your preferences help us match you with suitable partners.
Want a checklist tailored to retail? Get personalised loan guidance
FAQs: Retail business finance with Fast Business Loans
Can new or recently started retailers get funding?
Some of our partners consider newer retailers depending on the business model, forecasted sales and any available security. Complete a Free Eligibility Check to see which partners can help.
How quickly can funds arrive?
Timelines vary by lender and loan type. Some short-term facilities can be arranged within days once documents are supplied; larger or secured loans may take longer.
Will submitting the enquiry affect my credit score?
No — submitting our initial enquiry does not impact your credit file. Lenders may perform checks later if you choose to proceed.
Do lenders require personal guarantees?
It depends on the lender, loan size and risk. Some offers require guarantees or security; others do not. We’ll try to match you with partners aligned to your preferences.
Are there fees for using Fast Business Loans?
Our introducer service is free for businesses. Any broker or lender fees will be disclosed by the provider before you agree to proceed.
Can online-only retailers apply?
Yes — many partners work with e-commerce retailers and omnichannel businesses. Prepare your sales reports and fulfillment plans to speed the process.
Start your enquiry — match with the best retail lenders
Fast Business Loans makes finding retail finance quicker and simpler. Tell us a little about your business and we’ll introduce you to lenders and brokers who specialise in retailers and shops. It’s free, secure and there’s no obligation to proceed.
Start Your Enquiry – Free Eligibility Check
Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender. We do not provide regulated financial advice. Finance is subject to status, lender terms and approval. No obligation to proceed. By submitting your details you consent to our privacy policy and that we may share your information with selected finance partners to find suitable offers.
For sector-specific guidance and deeper information on retail funding options, see our dedicated retailers & shop business loans page: retailers & shop business loans.
– Is Fast Business Loans a lender and how does it work?
We’re an introducer that matches UK retailers with specialist lenders and brokers via a quick, free eligibility check, and you choose whether to proceed.
– What types of retail finance can I access?
Options include unsecured and secured business loans, merchant cash advances, inventory and seasonal stock funding, fit-out and POS finance, vehicle finance, and e-commerce/omnichannel growth funding.
– What’s the minimum loan amount for UK shops and retailers?
Funding typically starts from around £10,000 and above, subject to lender terms and your business profile.
– How quickly could I receive funds?
We often introduce you to partners within hours, and some facilities can complete in a few days once documents are supplied.
– Will completing the enquiry affect my credit score?
No—submitting our initial enquiry doesn’t impact your credit score; lenders may run checks later if you decide to proceed.
– Do I need to provide a personal guarantee or security?
It depends on the lender, loan type and risk, with some offers unsecured and others requiring security or a personal guarantee.
– Can newer or online-only retailers get funding?
Yes—many partners consider start-ups and e-commerce retailers based on sales data, forecasts, and overall affordability.
– What documents do I need to prepare for a retail business loan?
Typically 6–12 months of business bank statements, recent management accounts, VAT returns, and EPOS/sales reports.
– How do repayments work on a merchant cash advance for retailers?
Repayments are taken as a pre-agreed percentage of your card takings, so payments rise and fall with your sales.
– Is the enquiry an application and does it cost anything?
The enquiry is not a loan application—it’s a free, no-obligation eligibility check used to match you with suitable lenders and brokers.