Retail Business Loans & Finance for UK Shop Owners
Summary: If you run a UK shop or retail business and need funding from around £10,000 upwards, Fast Business Loans connects you—quickly and without obligation—to lenders and brokers who specialise in retail finance. Complete a short enquiry and receive a free eligibility check so you can compare options such as working capital, stock finance, asset funding, merchant cash advances and commercial fit-out loans. Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score and helps us match you with the right providers for your circumstances.
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.
Running a shop means juggling stock, peak seasons, energy costs and staff — and when cashflow tightens you need options fast. Fast Business Loans doesn’t provide loans ourselves: we introduce UK retailers to proven lenders and brokers who can help secure funding. There’s no fee to use our service and no obligation to proceed. Start Your Free Eligibility Check.
Micro assurance: Your enquiry is a matching tool only — an introducer role; no hard credit check at this stage.
Why retailers choose Fast Business Loans
Fast Business Loans saves retail owners time and increases the chance of finding a suitable funding route by matching your business to lenders and brokers who understand the retail sector. Key benefits:
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.
- Sector-specific matching — we prioritise partners who know retail trading cycles and card-takings.
- Speed — streamlined enquiry and fast introductions; many matches are made within hours.
- Range — solutions typically start from around £10,000 and scale to larger facilities for multi-site businesses.
- Confidential and low impact — initial enquiries use soft searches only so your credit score is unaffected.
- No charge to you — our service is free and without obligation; lenders set any fees or terms later.
- Transparency — we explain typical lender requirements so you can compare offers fairly.
Remember: we are an introducer not a lender — we help connect you with the most appropriate providers for your needs. Get Retail Finance Options.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Common retail funding needs we help with
Retailers come to us for a wide variety of needs. Which of these sounds like you?
- Inventory and seasonal stock finance to cover peaks like Christmas or summer sales.
- Refurbishment, shop fit-out, or signage and display investment.
- Point-of-sale or eCommerce upgrades — tills, EPOS systems, website, and click‑and‑collect integration.
- Working capital to bridge short-term cashflow gaps or delayed supplier payments.
- Asset purchases such as refrigeration units, shelving, delivery vans or fixtures.
- Expansion funding — opening a new store or rolling out franchise outlets.
- Energy-efficiency projects (LED lighting, boilers, solar) to reduce operating costs.
If any of the above applies, tell us about it and we’ll match you to suitable lenders and brokers. Request Your Retail Loan Match.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Finance products that suit retailers
Different lenders specialise in different solutions. Below is a quick comparison to help you identify likely fits — exact availability and terms will depend on your business and the lender.
| Finance Type | Typical use | Amount / Term | Security / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsecured business loan | Working capital, small refits | £10k–£250k; 1–5 years | Often personal or director guarantees may be requested |
| Revolving credit / overdraft | Short-term cashflow flexibility | Flexible limits; short-term | Quick access but may require track record |
| Merchant cash advance (card takings) | Fast cash repaid from card sales | £10k upwards; short-term | Repayment linked to card volume; can be costly—compare offers |
| Inventory/stock finance | Seasonal purchasing, wholesale inventory | From £10k up, often seasonal terms | Secured against stock in many cases |
| Asset & equipment finance | Fixtures, refrigeration, vehicles, POS | From small to large; 1–7 years | Asset acts as security; VAT and hire-purchase options |
| Invoice finance (for B2B retailers) | Unlock cash from unpaid invoices | Facility linked to invoice book | Advance against invoices; fees vary |
| Commercial mortgage / refurbishment loan | Leasehold improvements, premises purchase | £50k upwards; longer terms | Secured on property or leasehold |
Rates, fees and eligibility vary. After you submit an enquiry you’ll receive personalised quotes to compare — there are no obligations at enquiry stage. Get Quote Now.
How our enquiry & matching process works
- Quick enquiry: Complete a short form (under 2 minutes) telling us the funding type and amount you need.
- Smart match: We use your details to select lenders/brokers from our panel that typically serve retail businesses like yours.
- Rapid response: Matched partners will contact you—often within hours—to discuss options and request any further information.
- Compare & decide: Review offers directly from lenders/brokers and proceed with the one that suits you best. There’s no obligation to accept any offer.
Initial enquiries are used for matching and usually involve soft checks only. If you want to proceed with a lender’s offer they may carry out a hard credit and affordability check at that point. Start Your Free Eligibility Check.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Eligibility snapshot for retail businesses
Typically helpful
- Limited companies or established retail enterprises with clear turnover figures.
- At least several months of trading history (exact requirements vary by product/lender).
- Regular card takings or predictable seasonal sales for merchant cash advances.
- Clear invoices or supplier contracts for invoice/stock finance.
If you’re concerned
- Low credit score or past arrears — alternative lenders may consider your case; be prepared to explain circumstances and supply cashflow forecasts.
- Short trading history — some lenders specialise in newer businesses, but options are more limited.
- High-risk industries or unusual trading models — specialised brokers can help find matches.
All lenders will assess affordability and may require personal guarantees or security depending on size and product. Submitting an enquiry helps us identify which partners are most likely to work with your specific situation. Request Your Retail Loan Match.
Retail case study snapshots
Independent fashion boutique
Challenge: Seasonal stock shortfall ahead of Autumn/Winter. Outcome: Matched to a lender offering tailored stock finance; £25k advanced within 5 days, enabling timely buying and avoiding missed seasonal sales.
Multi-site convenience chain
Challenge: Urgent refrigeration upgrades across three stores. Outcome: Introducer connected the business to an asset finance broker who arranged hire-purchase over 4 years; renovations completed with minimal cash impact.
Bricks & clicks retailer
Challenge: Launch click‑and‑collect and POS integration across two locations. Outcome: Funding and payment-plan options presented within 48 hours; project delivered before peak shopping season.
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.
Each case is illustrative only; results vary. Ready to see what’s possible for your shop? Get Started – It Takes 2 Minutes.
Preparing your retail finance enquiry — checklist
Having the right information ready helps speed up matching and improves the quality of quotes you receive. Typical documents and details lenders ask for:
- Basic business details (company name, registration number, trading address).
- Recent bank statements (usually 3–6 months) and card terminal statements if applicable.
- Latest management accounts or VAT returns showing turnover.
- Details of the funding required (amount, purpose, desired term).
- Lease or rent agreements and supplier contracts where relevant.
- Cashflow forecast or brief plan explaining how the funds will be used and repaid.
Tip: prepare concise, factual answers — lenders appreciate clarity. When you’re ready, complete our short form and we’ll do the rest. Get Quote Now.
Responsible finance & how we use your data
We follow a clear principle: give you fast, accurate matches while being open about what happens next. Fast Business Loans acts as an introducer — we share your enquiry with selected lenders/brokers who may contact you with offers. There are no upfront fees to use our matching service and no obligation to accept any offer.
Initial enquiries trigger soft checks only. Lenders will carry out full affordability and credit checks if you decide to proceed with a specific offer. Our privacy policy explains how we store and share data — view our Privacy Policy and Terms for full details.
Retail finance FAQs
What loan amounts can UK retailers apply for?
Through our panel, retailers can access facilities from around £10,000 up to several million depending on the lender, collateral and business profile. Exact ranges vary by product and provider.
Do you help retailers with merchant cash advances?
Yes — we introduce retailers to providers of merchant cash advances (repayments taken from card takings) as well as alternative options so you can compare cost and fit.
Can new or recently opened shops apply?
Some partners specialise in newer retailers, but options are more limited and may involve different terms. Provide as much trading and sales information as possible to improve matches.
Will submitting the form impact my credit file?
No. Submitting an enquiry triggers soft searches only for the purpose of matching. Lenders will perform hard credit checks later if you opt to proceed with a formal application.
How fast can funding arrive once I choose a lender?
Timelines depend on the product and documentation. Some short-term facilities or merchant advances can be funded in days; secured or mortgage-style lending usually takes longer. Your matched lender will advise expected timelines.
Do you charge retailers for using your service?
No. Our introducer service is free for retailers. Lenders or brokers set their own fees and rates for any finance provided.
What if my store has had previous credit declines?
Because we work with a broad panel, alternative lenders and specialist brokers who consider past credit issues may be available. Be transparent about past problems and provide supporting documents to improve your chances.
Get started — see what retail finance is available for your shop
Complete a short, free, no-obligation enquiry and we’ll match your retail business to lenders and brokers best placed to help. It takes less than 2 minutes and does not affect your credit score. Start Your Free Eligibility Check.
– What loan amounts can UK retailers access? Retailers can typically access from around £10,000 up to several million, depending on turnover, security and the product.
– Will submitting the enquiry affect my credit score? No—our initial enquiry triggers only soft checks for matching, with any hard credit search done later by a lender if you choose to proceed.
– How quickly can retail business finance be arranged? Matches often happen within hours and some facilities fund in days, while property‑backed or complex deals can take longer.
– Which finance options do you match UK shop owners with? We connect retailers to working capital loans, stock finance, asset and equipment finance, revolving credit, merchant cash advances and commercial fit‑out funding.
– Are you a lender and does it cost to use your service? We’re an introducer, not a lender, and our matching service is free and without obligation.
– Is the enquiry form a loan application? No—the form is purely for matching you to suitable lenders or brokers and is not a formal application.
– What documents will lenders typically ask for? Expect recent bank and card terminal statements, management accounts or VAT returns, basic business details, and information on the amount, purpose and term.
– Do I need security or a personal guarantee for a retail loan? Requirements vary by lender and product, but unsecured loans often need a director guarantee while asset finance is usually secured on the equipment.
– Can newer shops or those with past credit issues still get funding? Yes—some partners consider limited trading history or lower credit scores if you can evidence sales and affordability, though options may be narrower.
– Do you help with merchant cash advances based on card takings? Yes—we can match retailers to merchant cash advance providers and alternative options so you can compare cost and fit.