Retail Business Loans for UK Shops & E‑commerce

Summary: Need funding for stock, fit‑outs, POS upgrades or seasonal cashflow? Fast Business Loans connects UK retailers—high street and online—with lenders and brokers who specialise in shop finance. We don’t lend ourselves; instead we match your business with partners who can provide quotes from around £10,000 upwards. Completing our short enquiry is not an application — it’s a free, no‑obligation way to get matched and receive tailored offers. Start with a Free Eligibility Check.

Free Eligibility Check

Key takeaways for busy retailers

• Fast Business Loans is a free introducer that matches UK retailers with lenders and brokers for loans and finance from around £10,000 upwards.
• We can help you compare practical options — stock finance, asset finance, merchant cash advances, invoice finance and fit‑out/commercial mortgages — without affecting your credit score at enquiry stage.
• Complete a quick enquiry and receive matched quotes and calls from specialists who understand retail seasonality and multi‑channel models. Get Quote Now

Why retailers need tailored finance

Retailers face fluctuating stock costs, seasonal demand, omnichannel investment (website, POS and logistics) and rising energy or premises costs. A short-term gap in cashflow or the need to invest in inventory, a new till system, delivery vans or a shop refit can hold growth back if funding isn’t arranged quickly and in the right form.

Different lenders specialise in different retail scenarios — some favour card‑turnover businesses, others look at stock as security, and some provide flexible repayment tied to takings. Choosing the wrong product can be costly; that’s where matching with the right broker/lender matters.

Funding options we can help you compare

Below are common solutions retailers use. We’ll match your enquiry to partners experienced in the right product for your needs.

Unsecured retail business loans

• Good for short‑term working capital without putting assets at risk.
• Typical uses: short seasonal stock top‑ups, marketing pushes, bridging a gap.
• Pros: quick, no asset security; Cons: higher rates than secured options for larger amounts.

Asset & equipment finance

• For POS systems, refrigeration, ovens, vans or other equipment — often structured as hire purchase or lease.
• Benefits: preserve cash, off‑balance options, match repayments to asset life.
• Learn more about asset finance for retailers here.

Inventory / trade finance

• Designed specifically to pay suppliers or stock purchases so you can maximize sales seasons.
• Useful when bulk buying gives discounts that improve margins.

Merchant cash advance (MCA)

• Advance against future card takings — repayments are tied to daily/weekly card income.
• Good for card‑heavy retailers needing very fast access to cash; typically fast to arrange but can be expensive if not assessed carefully.

Invoice finance

• Best where a portion of your business is wholesale or B2B and you have unpaid invoices tying up cash.
• Turn invoices into immediate cashflow; we can introduce you to invoice finance specialists here.

Commercial mortgages & fit‑out finance

• For premises purchases or major refits. Structured over longer terms and often requires security.
• Suitable when you’re investing in long‑term improvements to a shop or expanding to new sites.

Compare at a glance

Compare Retail Funding Options — Free Eligibility Check

How Fast Business Loans supports UK retailers

We are a matching service: you tell us what you need and we introduce you to lenders and brokers who specialise in retail and e‑commerce. Benefits:

• Fast matching with partners who understand your business model — online, high street or mixed.
• Free and no obligation: your enquiry is used to find suitable partners; it is not a loan application.
• No impact to your credit score at enquiry stage — lenders may ask for checks later with your consent.
• We typically arrange introductions the same business day so you can get quotes quickly.

For more sector resources and wider retail finance guidance see our retailers hub on retailers shop business loans: retailers shop business loans.

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Eligibility snapshot for retail & shop finance

Criteria vary by product and lender, but many partners look for:

• Limited companies (trading entities) with trading history — many lenders start from 12 months trading, though specialist brokers may consider younger businesses.
• Turnover and card takings (for MCA) or invoice volumes (for invoice finance).
• Management accounts, VAT returns and business bank statements.
• Security for larger loans (property, plant) or unsecured options for smaller facilities.

Quick eligibility checklist:

• Operating company name and registration details
• Approx. annual turnover
• Typical monthly card or invoice volumes
• Desired loan amount & purpose (stock, fit‑out, equipment, cashflow)

Start a Free Eligibility Check

What information retailers should prepare

• Latest management accounts (or latest 12–18 months where available).
• Bank statements (usually 3–6 months) and card terminal statements if applicable.
• Invoice ledger or proof of B2B sales for invoice finance enquiries.
• Lease or premises details for fit‑out or mortgage enquiries.
• Details of director(s), UTR and company registration number.

Tip: gather digital copies before completing the enquiry — this speeds up partner responses.

Step‑by‑step: From enquiry to funding in days

1. Complete a short enquiry (2 minutes) — tell us what you need and provide contact details. Free Eligibility Check.
2. We match you — your details go to selected lenders and brokers who best fit your profile.
3. Partner contact & comparison — matched partners contact you to discuss terms and arrange quotes.
4. Decide & proceed — choose a provider and follow their application process; funding times vary by product but can be as fast as 24 hours for certain MCAs or several weeks for secured finance.

Case study — Independent fashion boutique boosted stock ahead of peak

Client: London independent boutique (limited company).

Challenge: seasonal suppliers required early bulk orders but cashflow was tight; expected peak season in 8 weeks.

Solution: Fast Business Loans matched the boutique with a specialist trade finance broker who arranged a short‑term inventory facility of £45,000 within five days.

Result: boutique increased stock mix, achieved 30% higher peak sales and repaid the facility as planned. “We wouldn’t have made the orders in time without the quick match — fast, simple and exactly what we needed,” — S., Owner, London.

Disclaimer: outcomes vary by business and product; this is an anonymised example.

Retail finance FAQs

Can I get a retail business loan if turnover fluctuates seasonally?

Yes. Many lenders and brokers on our panel assess seasonal businesses by reviewing historical accounts and card settlements. When you complete an enquiry we’ll match you with partners experienced in retail seasonality who can present your case appropriately.

What interest rate range should I expect for shop finance?

Rates depend on product, lender and your business profile. Unsecured rates are typically higher than secured facilities. Your matched partners will provide indicative rates during the quote stage — always check total cost and any arrangement fees before proceeding.

How quickly can retail funding be approved?

Speed varies: merchant cash advances can be arranged in 24–72 hours; unsecured and asset finance often in days to 2 weeks; secured loans and fit‑out finance can take several weeks. After your enquiry you will usually hear from a matched partner the same business day.

Do you support franchises and multi‑site retailers?

Yes. We work with partners experienced in franchise models and multi‑site operations and can match you with lenders who understand the specifics of those structures.

Will my enquiry affect our credit score?

No. Submitting an enquiry through Fast Business Loans does not impact your credit file. Lenders may run credit checks later, but only with your consent.

Are there options for online‑only retailers?

Yes — many brokers and lenders specialise in e‑commerce funding and evaluate online sales, marketplace data and card processor statements when assessing applications.

What fees should I expect from brokers or lenders?

Fees vary by partner and product — arrangement fees, broker fees or lender set‑up charges are possible. Any fees should be disclosed before you agree to proceed.

Retail trend insights & funding tips for 2025

Key trends: omnichannel growth, BNPL integrations, sustainability investments and a focus on supply‑chain resilience. Plan ahead for peak seasons, negotiate supplier terms where possible and consider financing stock in advance to capture early‑buy discounts. For authoritative retail data consult the British Retail Consortium (nofollow) or ONS (nofollow).

Ready to explore your retail finance options?

If you need funding from around £10,000 and above, start with a quick, free enquiry and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers who understand your retail model. It’s not an application — just the first step to receiving competitive quotes.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

– What is Fast Business Loans and are you a lender? — We’re a free introducer that matches UK retailers (high street and e‑commerce) with specialist brokers and lenders; we don’t lend or give financial advice.

– What types of retail finance can I compare? — You can compare unsecured business loans, asset/equipment finance, inventory/trade finance, merchant cash advances, invoice finance, and fit‑out/commercial mortgages.

– How much can I borrow for shop or e‑commerce finance? — Funding typically starts from around £10,000 and can reach £5m+ depending on the product and your eligibility.

– How fast can I get retail funding? — Merchant cash advances can fund in 24–72 hours, unsecured/asset finance often in days to two weeks, and secured or fit‑out facilities in 2–8 weeks, with matched partners usually contacting you the same business day.

– Will completing the enquiry affect my credit score? — No, the enquiry is not a loan application and won’t affect your credit score, though lenders may run checks later with your consent.

– What are the eligibility basics for retail business loans? — Many partners look for limited companies with around 12+ months trading, relevant turnover or card/invoice volumes, and security for larger loans, although specialists may consider younger businesses.

– What documents should I prepare to speed things up? — Prepare management accounts, 3–6 months of bank and card terminal statements, an invoice ledger if applicable, lease/premises details, and director/company information.

– Do I need collateral or can I get an unsecured loan? — Smaller, short‑term needs can often be funded unsecured, while larger, fit‑out or property deals usually require security; asset finance is secured on the asset and MCAs are repaid from card takings.

– What will it cost and are there fees? — Costs vary by product and risk (unsecured typically higher than secured) and any lender or broker fees will be disclosed in the quotes you receive before you proceed.

– Can you help if my sales are seasonal or if I’m online‑only? — Yes, we match seasonal and e‑commerce retailers with partners who assess accounts, marketplace data and card settlements to tailor suitable offers.