Retail business finance Ireland for shops

Tie each need to the right product. Seasonal stock suits stock finance or a short-term loan, steady card takings suit a merchant cash advance, and a refit suits fit-out finance or an unsecured loan. Through Welcome Finance, shops run by companies registered in Ireland (LTD, DAC, PLC or ULC) can apply, including start-ups, although most lenders look for some trading history. Lenders want bank statements, card terminal statements, filed accounts and tax clearance.

Plan by late summer. Many retailers order Christmas stock months ahead and pay suppliers before the busiest weeks, so cash goes out in September and October and comes back in December. Stock finance or a short-term loan can bridge that gap, repaid after the peak. Lenders will want last year's sales pattern, supplier orders and bank statements. Stock finance and short-term loans are among the products our lender panel covers.

Your company still owes the lender. Before borrowing for seasonal stock, set a realistic sell-through target and allow for markdowns, returns and the January sales. A short term can mean larger repayments in January, when takings usually drop, so check the repayments against last year's January figures. Keep some headroom, and don't use short-term funding to carry slow-moving stock for months.

Yes. Lenders, especially those offering merchant cash advances or revenue-based finance, often ask for several months of card terminal statements alongside bank statements, and steady or growing card takings help. If you have an advance repaid from card sales, check the agreement before changing card provider. Takings that don't pass through the company's bank account or card terminal won't count.

Fit-out finance spreads the cost of shopfitting, flooring, lighting, counters and signage over a fixed term. Because installed fit-out work has little value once removed, providers lean on the company's trading figures and, for a new unit, the lease and a forecast. An unsecured business loan, which our panel covers, is another route; shelving, refrigeration and EPOS can be leased separately. Tell us what your company needs and we'll tell you honestly whether our panel can help, or where to apply instead.

Yes. EPOS finance is usually a lease or hire purchase agreement from the supplier's finance partner or an equipment finance provider, with monthly payments over two to five years. Check what happens at the end of the term, whether software licences and support are included, and any minimum term on the card payment service bundled with it. Compare the total cost with paying from a short-term loan.

No, not to general retail sales. The cut to 9% from 1 July 2026 covers food and drink supplied as part of a restaurant, catering or hot takeaway service, plus hairdressing. Most retail goods remain at 23%, and many basic foods sold in shops are at 0%. Delis, in-store cafés and hot food counters should take advice, because what you sell and how you sell it decide the rate.

Yes. Lenders test affordability, so higher payroll costs from the €14.15 minimum wage, the €14.94 rate announced for January 2027 and auto-enrolment pension contributions reduce the profit available to repay a loan. Show in your forecast how you've priced in these costs, through margins, staffing or opening hours. Borrowing to cover a permanent drop in margin rarely works; it suits timing gaps and spending that pays back.

Generally not for direct grants, which focus on manufacturing and internationally traded services. But LEOs offer mentoring, training, online trading and energy efficiency supports that retailers can use, often at low or no cost. Our Local Enterprise Office grants guide explains what's available. Ask your local LEO before you borrow for the same purpose, because a support could reduce how much you need.