Retailers & Shop Business Loans — Are we a lender or an introducer?

Quick answer: UK Business Loans does not provide lending. We act as an introducer — matching retailers and shop owners with specialist lenders and brokers who can provide stock, fit‑out, POS and working‑capital finance (typically from £10,000 upwards). Use our Free Eligibility Check to get matched quickly and confidentially.

Important: UK Business Loans is an introducer. We do not provide regulated financial advice and we are not a direct lender. Submitting an enquiry is not an application and will not by itself affect your credit score. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms for full details.

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Quick answer: we are an introducer, not a lender

UK Business Loans is an introducer (lead generator / matchmaker). We collect brief, relevant information about your retail business and funding needs, then connect you with lenders or brokers most likely to help. We do not underwrite, hold, or provide loan funds ourselves. Our role is to speed up the search for the right finance option and to increase the number of suitable approaches you receive — usually at no cost to your business.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

What “introducer” means — how it works for retailers

The difference: lender vs introducer

• Lender: provides funds, performs underwriting and issues loan contracts.
• Introducer (UK Business Loans): collects a short enquiry, matches you to relevant lenders or brokers, and passes the enquiry on so those providers can contact you with options.

Our matching process (simple and fast)

Here’s how we typically work with retailers:

1. You complete our short enquiry form outlining business details, turnover band, loan amount (from £10,000 upwards) and purpose (stock, fit‑out, equipment, cashflow).
2. We identify lenders/brokers in our panel who specialise in retail, high‑street shops, e‑commerce or specific needs like stock or POS finance.
3. Those providers contact you directly to discuss terms, ask for supporting documents and, if appropriate, progress to a formal application.

What we do: match, pass enquiries and help you compare options quickly. What we don’t do: lend money, guarantee offers or give regulated financial advice.

Why the introducer model helps retailers

Retailers face seasonal peaks, supply chain timing and stock commitments. The introducer model saves time and increases the chances of finding a suitable solution.

• Speed — fewer forms, quicker matches to lenders that understand retail cycles.
• Choice — access to a panel of specialist lenders and brokers who focus on stock finance, invoice finance, asset finance and fit‑out loans.
• Sector expertise — we match you to partners experienced with retail pain points (seasonal buying, inventory funding, POS upgrades).
• Confidentiality — your details are only shared with selected partners relevant to your enquiry.

Example scenarios:

• High‑street fashion retailer needs stock ahead of peak season — matched to specialist stock finance providers.
• Independent grocer replacing refrigeration and POS — matched to asset finance and equipment lenders.
• E‑commerce retailer scaling inventory — matched to invoice and working capital lenders.

Common types of retail finance we can help you access

We introduce retail businesses to lenders/brokers offering a wide range of solutions, including:

• Stock finance — purchase inventory without tying up cash.
• Invoice finance — release cash tied up in unpaid invoices (for retailers with trade receivables).
• Asset & equipment finance — fund POS systems, refrigeration, fixtures or shop fittings.
• Merchant cash advances — quick access to cash repaid from card receipts.
• Short‑term business loans — for cashflow gaps or short-term needs.
• Fit‑out finance — funding for shop refurbishments and refits.
• Commercial mortgages & property finance — for purchase or refinance of shop premises (introduced to suitable specialists).

If you’d like to see the specific retail offers our partners provide, start a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match you to the best contacts.

Compliance & regulation: what you should know

Transparency is important. UK Business Loans operates as an introducer and does not provide loans or regulated advice. We follow principles of clear, fair and not misleading communication and we only pass enquiries to partners appropriate to your needs.

• Submitting an enquiry to UK Business Loans is not an application to a lender and will not automatically generate a credit search.
• Lenders and brokers we pass your details to may carry out soft or hard credit checks when you progress with an application — you should ask them which type they use and whether it will affect your credit score.
• We aim to provide a fair, transparent route to finance. Any fees or charges are set by the lender or broker; UK Business Loans is free to use for retailers.
• Your information is handled in accordance with data protection law — see our Privacy Policy for how we store and share data.

Legal note: UK Business Loans is not a lender and does not provide regulated financial advice. Submitting an enquiry will allow our partners to contact you about finance options.

What happens when you submit an enquiry (step‑by‑step)

1. Complete the short enquiry form (usually under 2 minutes).
2. We match you with lenders/brokers experienced in retail finance.
3. Selected partners contact you (phone or email) to discuss details and may request documents.
4. Compare offers, ask for full terms and APR/fees, and choose the provider that best fits your business.

Typical timeline: most retailers hear from initial contacts within hours during business hours. More complex finance (property or large asset finance) may take longer.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Costs, fees & transparency

Using UK Business Loans is free for retailers. We are remunerated when lenders/brokers receive a completed enquiry and proceed with an introduction, which means our business model is to connect you to the right partners efficiently.

Important points:

• Any interest, fees or broker charges are applied by the lender/broker and should be disclosed to you before you sign.
• Always request full terms, APR examples and any fees in writing from the provider before committing.

When might retailers prefer a direct lender?

Introducer vs direct lender — a quick decision framework:

• Choose an introducer (UK Business Loans) if you want choice quickly, specialist matchmaking, or help finding a lender who understands your retail sector.
• Consider going direct if you already have a trusted lender or need a very simple, immediate product (and are confident of the provider’s terms and speed).

If you’re unsure, use our Free Eligibility Check and compare the offers you receive — there’s no obligation to proceed.

Frequently asked questions

Does using UK Business Loans affect my credit score?

No. Submitting an enquiry via our site does not itself create a credit file entry. Lenders or brokers may perform credit checks later — always ask whether they will do a soft or hard search.

Does UK Business Loans lend directly?

No. We introduce businesses to lenders and brokers; we do not provide funding or underwrite loans.

What loan sizes do you handle for retailers?

We typically introduce retailers to funding starting at around £10,000 and upwards, depending on the product and provider.

Is the service free?

Yes — UK Business Loans is free for businesses to use. Any lender interest or broker fees are charged by those providers and must be clearly disclosed by them.

How quickly will I hear from lenders?

Many retail enquiries receive initial contact within hours during business hours; more complex cases may take longer.

What information should I have ready?

Basic business details, estimated annual turnover band, loan amount required, and the purpose (stock, fit‑out, equipment, cashflow) help us match you faster.

Can I compare multiple offers?

Yes — being introduced by us should deliver multiple options so you can compare terms and choose what’s best for your business.

Who do you introduce me to?

We match your enquiry to lenders and brokers we believe are relevant to your retail needs. If you want to learn more about the matching process, see How UK Business Loans works or our page on types of business finance.

Ready to get a quick, no‑obligation quote for your retail business?

Complete a short enquiry now and we’ll match your retail business to suitable lenders and brokers who can provide quotes and next steps. It’s free, confidential and usually takes under 2 minutes.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

Trusted connections • Free service • Fast responses

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Single contextual resource: For more information about retail sector offerings we often introduce, see our retailers shop finance overview on retailers shop business loans.

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1. What is UK Business Loans and do you lend money? — UK Business Loans is an introducer that matches UK businesses with lenders and brokers; we do not provide or underwrite loans.
2. Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score? — No — completing our Free Eligibility Check does not affect your credit score, although lenders may run soft or hard checks later if you progress.
3. How do I apply for a business loan through UK Business Loans? — Complete the quick online enquiry form (usually under two minutes) and we’ll match you to suitable lenders and brokers who will contact you to discuss options.
4. Is the service free and are there any hidden fees? — Yes — using UK Business Loans is free for businesses; any interest, fees or broker charges are set and disclosed by the lender or broker.
5. What loan amounts and types of finance can you help me access? — We typically introduce businesses to finance from around £10,000 upwards, including stock finance, invoice finance, asset/equipment finance, merchant cash advances, short‑term loans, fit‑out finance and commercial property finance.
6. How quickly will I hear from lenders after I submit an enquiry? — Most retail enquiries receive initial contact within hours during business hours, while more complex finance (e.g. property) can take longer.
7. Are the lenders and brokers you introduce FCA‑regulated and trustworthy? — We work with trusted partners and FCA‑regulated brokers and expect all partners to operate transparently and treat customers fairly.
8. Can startups or businesses with bad credit get introduced to lenders? — Yes — our panel includes specialist lenders and brokers who consider start‑ups and companies with imperfect credit histories, though eligibility and terms vary by provider.
9. What information should I have ready when completing the enquiry form? — Have basic business details, estimated annual turnover band, required loan amount and the purpose (stock, fit‑out, equipment, cashflow) to speed up the matching process.
10. When should I use an introducer like UK Business Loans versus going direct to a lender? — Use an introducer when you want fast, specialist matchmaking and multiple quotes; consider going direct only if you already have a trusted lender or need a very simple, immediate product.