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.
Retailer & Shop Business Loans in the UK
Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK retailers find the right business finance by matching you with specialist brokers and lenders for funding from £10,000 upwards. We do not lend or give regulated advice — we introduce you to providers who can offer working capital, stock finance, fit-out loans, asset finance and other retail funding solutions. Complete a short, no-obligation Free Eligibility Check to see who can help your shop fast.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Get a fast, no-obligation Retail Finance Quote — Free Eligibility Check (takes under 2 minutes, no impact on credit score).
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Why retailers choose Fast Business Loans
Retailers face tight margins, seasonal stock cycles and rapid shifts to online sales. Finding the right lender or broker who understands retail cashflow, point-of-sale turnover and inventory cycles can make the difference between growth and stress.
- We match retailers to lenders and brokers who specialise in retail finance.
- Save time — no need to contact dozens of providers yourself.
- Free, no-obligation enquiries; we only introduce you to relevant partners.
- Suitable for funding from £10,000 upwards across a wide range of products.
Mini case: An independent fashion boutique in Manchester used our service to find a stock finance solution for a seasonal buy. Within 48 hours a broker on our panel proposed suitable options — the retailer selected an offer that spread season-stock costs over 6 months, preserving cashflow. (Illustrative; outcomes vary.)
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Want to compare offers quickly? Get Quote Now.
Funding solutions we can help you access
We connect retail businesses with partners who offer a wide range of finance types tailored to shop needs. Below are the typical products and when retailers use them.
Working Capital & Cash Flow Loans
Use-cases: seasonal peaks, VAT, payroll gaps, short-term stock shortages.
- Unsecured or secured business loans (fixed-term).
- Revolving credit facilities for ongoing flexibility.
- Merchant cash advance — repayments are taken as a percentage of card takings, useful for card-heavy shops.
Stock & Inventory Finance
Use-cases: pre-season purchasing, promotional ranges, importing large orders.
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.
- Inventory finance to release cash locked in stock purchases.
- Supplier-backed facilities and purchase order finance for large orders.
Shop Fit-Out & Refurbishment Finance
Use-cases: new store openings, refits, energy-efficiency upgrades, POS and display investments.
- Fit-out loans and hire purchase to spread refurbishment costs.
- Energy upgrade finance for LED lighting, insulation or EV chargers.
Equipment & Vehicle Finance for Retail Logistics
Use-cases: delivery vans, refrigeration units, racking, EPOS and IT systems.
- Asset finance, hire purchase and leasing options.
- Preserve cash while upgrading operations and logistics.
Invoice & Trade Finance for Wholesale-Led Retailers
Use-cases: bridging cash tied up in B2B invoices, supporting wholesale relationships.
- Invoice discounting and factoring to improve liquidity.
- Trade finance for importers and wholesalers supplying retail channels.
Tell us a few details and we’ll connect you with brokers and lenders who understand retail.
How our enquiry-to-match process works
Fast Business Loans is designed to be quick and transparent:
- Complete a short enquiry form with business details and the funding you need (under 2 minutes).
- We match your enquiry to suitable lenders and brokers on our panel.
- Matched partners contact you directly with options and next steps.
- Compare offers and decide — there’s no obligation to proceed.
We only share your details with partners relevant to your request, and your enquiry does not trigger a credit search. Lenders may carry out credit checks later if you decide to proceed.
Eligibility snapshot for UK retail businesses
| Criterion | Typical Requirements* | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business structure | Limited companies, LLPs, partnerships | Start-ups and early-stage retailers considered by specialist brokers |
| Minimum loan value | From £10,000 | Many partners support larger facilities up to multi‑million |
| Minimum trading history | Typically 6–24 months depending on product | Some products (e.g., merchant cash advances) are more flexible |
| Turnover | Varies by lender — monthly or annual turnover thresholds apply | Seasonal businesses can be considered with tailored assessments |
| Documentation | Business bank statements, management accounts, ID | Providing clear fund-use details speeds matching |
*Exact criteria depend on individual lenders and brokers. Completing the enquiry helps identify partners that match your circumstances.
What retailers can fund with business finance
Retail funding can cover a wide range of uses across different store types — high street, market stalls, e-commerce and multi-channel retailers:
- Stock for peak trading periods and promotional campaigns.
- Shop or warehouse fit-outs, expanding floor space, or opening new branches.
- EPOS, e‑commerce platforms, CRM and marketing to boost sales.
- Fleet or delivery vans, refrigeration and security systems.
- Refinancing higher-cost debt to improve monthly cashflow.
Tip: clearly state the intended use of funds on your enquiry to receive more tailored proposals.
Cost considerations & responsible borrowing
Costs vary significantly by product and provider. Typical elements to compare include:
- Interest rate or factor rate (for revenue-based products).
- Fees — arrangement, broker, early repayment or admin fees.
- Repayment profile — fixed monthly repayments vs. percentage of takings.
- Total cost of credit or total payable over the term.
For impartial comparison, get multiple offers and check the APR/total cost and contract terms before committing.
Retail finance trends & data points
UK retail continues to evolve: omnichannel sales growth, higher card transaction proportions and inflationary cost pressures mean many retailers need flexible finance. According to recent retail indicators, many shops plan investment in digital sales and energy efficiency — areas where tailored finance can help. (Source examples: ONS Retail Sales, British Retail Consortium).
Retailer success snapshot
Illustrative example: A homeware store in Bristol sought £75,000 to expand ranges and upgrade EPOS. After submitting an enquiry, a broker specialising in retail matched them to an asset finance solution and a working capital facility. The business completed paperwork within a week and began phased refurbishment within 10 days. Outcomes vary by case.
How we safeguard your application
Your data is handled in line with privacy and data protection standards. We only share details with partners relevant to your funding request. We do not sell your data for marketing unrelated to finance. Submitting an enquiry does not initiate a credit search.
Frequently asked questions for retailers
Can I apply if I run both an online store and a physical shop?
Yes. Many lenders and brokers consider multichannel retailers favourably because diversified income streams can improve lending prospects. Specify turnover split and channels in your enquiry to help match you quickly.
How does a merchant cash advance work for card-heavy retailers?
A merchant cash advance provides a lump sum repaid by taking a fixed percentage of card takings daily. It can be fast to access and aligns repayments with sales, but compare the total cost versus conventional loans before deciding.
Will lenders need a personal guarantee?
Some lenders may request a personal guarantee depending on the size of the facility, business risk and security offered. Specialist brokers can often find options with limited or no personal guarantees depending on circumstances.
Can I refinance existing retail loans?
Yes. Refinancing or debt consolidation can reduce monthly costs or extend repayment terms. Our partners can assess whether refinancing is a sensible option for your business goals.
What if I’ve been declined elsewhere?
Declined applications are common; different lenders have different risk appetites. Our panel includes specialist brokers who work with adverse credit cases and seasonal businesses. Submit your details to discover possible routes.
How quickly can funds be released?
Timescales vary by product — some lenders can release funds within days once documents are provided; others (e.g., larger asset or property finance) can take weeks. Matched partners will advise realistic timelines.
Ask a Retail Finance Specialist – Start Your Enquiry
Start your retail finance enquiry
Fast Business Loans makes it simple to explore tailored retail finance options. Complete a short enquiry and we’ll connect you to lenders and brokers who best match your needs. It’s free, quick and no obligation.
Get Started – Free Eligibility Check
Prefer background reading? Visit our retailers hub for more guidance: retailers shop business loans.
Fast Business Loans is an introducer connecting UK businesses with lenders and brokers. We do not provide loans or regulated financial advice. Eligibility, lending decisions and terms are set by the lender or broker you deal with. Submitting an enquiry will not affect your credit score. Lenders may carry out credit checks later if you choose to proceed. Terms and conditions apply. For full details see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
– What is Fast Business Loans and how does it help UK retailers and shops? Answer: We’re an introducer that matches UK retailers and shops with specialist brokers and lenders for tailored business finance; we don’t lend money or provide financial advice.
– Will completing the Free Eligibility Check affect my credit score? Answer: No — it’s a soft, no‑impact enquiry, with any credit checks only carried out by a lender if you decide to proceed.
– Is the enquiry an application or any kind of commitment to take finance? Answer: It’s an initial, no‑obligation information-only enquiry used to match you with suitable brokers and lenders, not a loan application.
– What loan amounts are available for retail business finance? Answer: Our partners typically support funding from around £10,000 up to several million pounds, depending on your circumstances.
– How quickly can I get funding for my shop? Answer: Some lenders can release funds within days once documents are provided, while larger or secured facilities may take longer.
– What types of retail finance can you connect me with? Answer: We can match you to working capital loans, revolving credit, merchant cash advances, stock/inventory finance, shop fit‑out and refurbishment finance, asset/equipment/vehicle finance, and invoice/trade finance.
– What are the typical eligibility and document requirements? Answer: Lenders usually look for a UK business (Ltd, LLP or partnership), 6–24 months’ trading, turnover evidence, and basic documents such as bank statements, management accounts and ID.
– Will I need security or a personal guarantee? Answer: It depends on the product and risk profile — some options are unsecured, while others may require security and/or a personal guarantee.
– Can you help start-ups or retailers with adverse credit or who’ve been declined elsewhere? Answer: Yes — specialist brokers on our panel consider start-ups and adverse credit cases, though terms and availability will vary.
– What costs should I compare before accepting a retail loan? Answer: Review the interest or factor rate, all fees, the repayment profile, and the total amount payable over the term to judge overall affordability.