Quick summary: If you run a UK shop and need business finance of £10,000 or more — for stock, a fit‑out, POS upgrades, working capital or expansion — Fast Business Loans helps by matching your business to the most suitable lenders and brokers. Our free, no‑obligation enquiry is not an application and does not affect your credit score. Complete a short enquiry and receive tailored contacts and quotes from lenders/brokers who understand retail.

Retail Business Loans & Finance for UK Shops

Running a shop brings peaks and troughs: seasonal stock, supplier terms, rent, energy bills and the shift to online all create funding needs. Fast Business Loans makes it quicker and easier to find the right retail finance partner so you can focus on trading.

• Typical uses: seasonal stock, new product lines, shop refit/fit‑out, POS/EPOS upgrades, e‑commerce investment, leasehold improvements.
• Loan sizes we typically help with: from £10,000 upwards.
• Free, no‑obligation matching: your enquiry is only used to find suitable lenders/brokers.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check (no credit score impact)

Why retailers need flexible finance today

Retail is capital‑intensive and fast‑moving. Inventory costs, promotional buying, supplier payment cycles and seasonal peaks mean cash flow can be strained even when sales are healthy. At the same time, many shops are investing in omnichannel selling, refurbishments and technology to stay competitive. Targeted finance can smooth cash flow, fund growth projects and protect margins.

Typical pressures facing shops now include:

• Seasonality and the need to buy stock well ahead of trading peaks;
• Rising overheads (energy, rent and staffing) that squeeze working capital;
• Investment in online channels, logistics and POS systems;
• Supplier-led payment terms that create cash timing gaps.

The right finance product—matched to your business model—turns those pressures into opportunities.

How Fast Business Loans connects retailers with funding

Fast Business Loans is an introducer: we do not lend and we do not provide regulated financial advice. Instead, we collect a few details about your business to match you with lenders and specialist brokers who understand retail. That matching increases the chance of receiving relevant options quickly, saving you time and unnecessary credit searches.

Benefits of using our service:

• No obligation — you decide whether to proceed with any offer;
• Quick matching with retail‑experienced lenders and brokers;
• Free to use — we charge nothing to retailers for matching;
• Personal data is shared only with matching partners who can help.

Learn more about the types of retail funding we introduce via our dedicated retailers resource: retailers shop business loans.

Free Eligibility Check — Tell us about your shop

Retail finance solutions we can introduce

Unsecured & secured retail loans

Standard term loans suited for stock purchases, refits or expansion. Loan sizes, rates and terms vary by lender. Some products accept minimal security; others require assets or property as collateral.

Working capital & cash flow support

Shorter‑term facilities to bridge supplier payments, cover payroll or smooth seasonal dips. Often arranged as revolving credit lines or flexible business loans.

Inventory & seasonal stock finance

Structured funding to buy large stock orders ahead of trading peaks. Useful for buying seasonal ranges without draining day‑to‑day cash flow.

Shop refurbishment & fit‑out finance

Loans or hire‑purchase arrangements to fund refits, new shop furniture, signage or leasehold improvements — keeping your premises attractive without a single large cash outlay.

Equipment & POS system finance

Asset finance and leasing solutions for EPOS systems, tills, label printers, refrigerators (for food retailers) and other equipment. These spread the cost over the useful life of the asset.

Invoice & trade finance

Invoice finance unlocks cash tied up in unpaid invoices (useful if you supply wholesale accounts). Trade finance can support international supplier purchases for imports.

Merchant cash advance alternatives

Flexible merchant funding and card‑receipts backed products can be available, but they vary in cost. We will match you to suitable alternatives based on your turnover and card‑processing profile.

Bridging finance & commercial property borrowing

Short‑term bridging loans for commercial property purchases or to fund a new leasehold acquisition pending longer‑term finance.

For each product we can introduce, lenders set their own terms and eligibility. We will present options and connect you to parties able to give tailored quotes.

Get Your Retail Finance Quote — Free Eligibility Check

Retail business loan eligibility: what to expect

Each lender or broker has different criteria, but common considerations include:

• Minimum trading history (often 6–12 months, though some lenders accept newer businesses if other factors are strong);
• Turnover and profitability — lenders want to see sustainable revenue or a credible plan for growth;
• Credit profile of the company and key directors;
• Existing debt levels and monthly outgoings (affordability);
• Type of security available (if any) — e.g., business assets, property or personal guarantees;
• A clear explanation of how the funds will be used and cash flow forecasts when relevant.

Matching your enquiry to lenders who prefer your profile improves the chances of receiving useful quotes. Our quick form captures the essentials so we can do that matching effectively.

Check Retail Finance Eligibility — Free

Fast, transparent and retail‑focused process

1. Complete the short enquiry form — takes around 2 minutes; this is only for matching and does not affect your credit score.
2. We match you with lenders or brokers who specialise in retail finance.
3. Providers contact you to discuss options and may request documents to prepare a quote.
4. You decide whether to proceed — there’s no obligation to accept any offer.

Everything is confidential and designed to avoid unnecessary searches that could harm credit positions early in the process.

Tell us about your shop — Get Started

Real‑world funding scenarios we support

• Stocking up before peak trading: seasonal inventory finance to meet demand without tying up working capital.
• New product launch: funding supplier orders and marketing for a new range.
• Refit or shop refresh: fit‑out finance to modernise the store and boost footfall.
• EPOS and online integration: equipment finance to upgrade systems and support omnichannel selling.
• Cash‑flow gap due to supplier terms: short‑term working capital to smooth the timing mismatch.
• Opening an additional site: bridging or expansion finance to secure premises and cover initial operating costs.

For each scenario we’ll match you to lenders/brokers experienced in delivering practical retail solutions.

What to gather before you apply

Having key documents ready speeds the quoting process. Useful items include:

• Recent management accounts or profit & loss summaries;
• Bank statements for the last 3 months;
• Sales/turnover figures and any card‑processing summaries;
• Details of outstanding debts and monthly repayments;
• Basic ID and company registration details;
• Cash flow forecast or a simple note on how the funds will be used (especially for larger loans).

Even if you don’t have everything at hand, submit the enquiry — lenders can request documents later once they’ve made initial contact.

Retail business loan FAQs

Is Fast Business Loans a direct lender?

No. We are an introducer. We connect businesses with lenders and brokers who then discuss products, terms and applications with you directly.

Will checking my eligibility affect my credit score?

No. Our initial enquiry is a soft, non‑credit‑search match process. A lender or broker may perform a credit check later if you choose to proceed.

How quickly can shops access funding?

Timescales vary by product and lender. In many straightforward cases, lenders can respond within hours and funds can be provided within days if documentation and underwriting are straightforward.

Do you help new retail businesses?

Yes — some lenders on our panel consider newer trading businesses, particularly when backed by strong trading plans, good gross margins or relevant collateral.

What loan amounts are available for shops?

We generally introduce businesses seeking £10,000 and upwards. Available amounts vary widely by lender — from smaller working capital facilities to multi‑hundred‑thousand pound commercial facilities.

Can I apply if I’ve been declined elsewhere?

Yes. Different lenders and brokers have different acceptance criteria; a refusal from one provider doesn’t always mean you’ll be refused by another. Our matching aims to find partners whose products suit your circumstances.

Have another question? Get a free, no‑obligation eligibility check

Trusted, transparent and compliant

We aim to be clear and fair. Fast Business Loans is an introducer — not a lender or provider of regulated financial advice. Submitting your enquiry will not commit you to anything; you only proceed if you choose to accept an offer from a lender or broker.

Funding is subject to status, underwriting and affordability checks by lenders. Terms and conditions apply.

Ready to explore retail finance options?

If you need funding to manage stock, refurbish, invest in technology or grow your retail business, start with a quick, free eligibility check. We’ll match you to lenders and brokers who understand shops and can provide tailored quotes.

Get Started — Free Retail Finance Eligibility Check

If you prefer to speak to someone, request a callback through the enquiry form and a partner will contact you.