Business Loans For Supermarkets
How much funding are you looking for?
Key reasons supermarkets may need a business loan
Running a supermarket is a highly competitive business, with extremely high up-front and fixed running costs. Your success relies on keeping your supermarket shelves stocked to meet a high volume of sales, and on offering competitive prices so you can attract and retain customers who, in most areas, have a lot of choice.
A business loan may help you to manage cash flow, by giving you access to the funds you need to cover rent or mortgage costs, insurance, tax and wages – as well as paying your suppliers, transport and warehousing costs.
A loan could also give you the funds you need to buy in bulk, improving your negotiating power with suppliers (which can give you the crucial margin you need to price your goods competitively).
Of course, buying in larger volumes means higher storage expenses, and you may need the loan funds to help meet the cost of your complex logistics arrangements – buying or renting warehousing facilities, upgrading your stock management systems or purchasing fleet vehicles to transport your inventory.
Marketing is also key to success in the supermarket sector, and a business loan could give you the funds to build your brand and reach more customers.
What are the requirements for getting a business loan?
Getting a business loan can be easier than you think.
While you can still expect to be knocked back by the big banks unless you have a solid trading history, a top-rate credit rating and collateral to offer, there are plenty of alternative lenders out there willing to offer business loans to supermarkets.
Each lender will have their own criteria when it comes to things like credit rating, how long you’ve been in business, and how high your turnover is.
If you’re higher risk (e.g. if your credit score is low) you may still be able to get a business loan, although you can expect to pay a higher rate of interest to compensate for that risk.
The most important factor ALL lenders will look at is your capacity.
Lenders need to know that you will have enough cash – after all your expenses – to cover your loan repayments.
How to apply for a business loan
- Personal and business ID documents
- 6 – 12 months bank statements
- Evidence that you’ve been in business for the lenders’ minimum period
Grow your supermarket business
See if you qualify
What options are available to supermarkets?
There are several types of small business loans you could consider, to support or grow your supermarket business.
Unsecured small business loan
A short-term option, unsecured business loans are usually for between 3 months and 2 years.
You can use the funds for any purpose, such as buying inventory. Many lenders will let you set a repayment schedule to suit your trading patterns.
Vehicle loan
There are several types of business car finance you can use to buy your work vans / trucks, including vehicle loans, hire purchasing and leasing.
While your work vehicles are under finance you will not be able to sell or upgrade them.
Equipment loan
A specific-purpose business loan secured on equipment you are buying, such as a forklift.
The term will often be tied to the lifespan of the equipment. You will not be able to sell or upgrade the equipment until you have repaid the equipment finance.
Business line of credit
A business line of credit is similar to an overdraft facility, giving you access to cash up to an agreed limit, often with the right to draw, repay and redraw funds as you need them.
You only pay interest on what you borrow, but there are often set up and admin fees.
Business credit card
Business credit cards are great for covering day-to-day expenses and making purchases, but unless you clear the balance each month the cost can be extremely high.
Before entering in to any business loan agreement, be sure to seek professional advice. It’s also important to ensure you understand all of the costs (including all fees). You can get a head start by using our business loan calculator.