Best Business Loans for Retail / Guides / Funding seasonal stock for Christmas and peak trading
Guide · reviewed 11 November 2026
Funding seasonal stock for Christmas and peak trading
Answer in brief
Retailers usually fund seasonal stock with a short-term loan, stock finance or a revolving facility, taken out a few months before peak and repaid from peak sales. Apply early: lenders want to see last year's peak in your bank statements, and suppliers need orders well ahead.
Plan it
- Use last year's sales to size the order.
- Work out when cash leaves and when it comes back.
- Apply two to three months before you need to pay suppliers.
Choose the product
A short loan suits a one-off buy. A revolving facility suits several orders. Stock finance suits large or imported orders.
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