Industry business finance

Retail and ecommerce finance in Australia: what to know before you apply

Finance for Retail and Ecommerce Businesses guide

Estimate repayments before you apply

Guide only. Lender fees, frequency, and structure can change the final cost.

Loan amountInterest rate (% p.a.)Term (years)

Estimated monthly

$3,957

Estimated total repay

$142,456

Estimated total interest

$22,456

Direct answer

Finance for Retail and Ecommerce Businesses

Finance for Retail and Ecommerce Businesses helps Australian business owners compare finance options around the cash-flow cycle, documents and lender questions common to this industry. It may suit specific timing gaps or asset needs. It may not suit ongoing losses, disputed revenue or unclear repayment sources.

Key facts

Field	What to know
Page type	Industry finance guide
Common use	Matching funding type to industry cash-flow timing
Typical documents	ABN, bank statements, invoices, quotes, contracts and industry-specific evidence
Main risk	Borrowing against revenue that is delayed, disputed or uncertain
Alternatives	Working capital, line of credit, invoice finance, equipment finance or bank funding depending on fit

Overview

Bricks-and-mortar retailers, online stores and omnichannel businesses all face a common challenge: cash has to leave before the sale comes in. Stock purchasing, seasonal inventory build, shop fitout, POS and ecommerce platform investment, marketing spend and cash-flow gaps between trading seasons create funding needs that standard business loans do not always fit. This page covers retail and ecommerce funding scenarios, what lenders assess differently for retail businesses, and how to compare finance options before applying.

Compare business loan rates and lenders in Australia

Filter by product, amount and security type to narrow suitable options.

Rates updated 10 May 2026

Product type

Loan amountSecurity

Sort by

Lender	Product	Rate from	Amount	Term	Speed	Compare
BOQ	BOQ Business Loan Established SMEs with strong financials	7.50%	$20,000 - $250,000	1-7 years	2-5 business days	Compare now
Liberty	Liberty Business Loan Flexible criteria and sole traders	7.95% - 17.45%	$10,000 - $350,000	1-7 years	24-72 hours	Compare now
CommBank	CommBank BetterBusiness Loan Bank pathway with relationship banking	8.15% - 14.25%	$10,000 - $500,000	1-7 years	2-6 business days	Compare now
NAB	NAB Business Options Loan SMEs wanting bank-backed facilities	8.20% - 14.40%	$10,000 - $1,000,000	1-7 years	3-7 business days	Compare now
ANZ	ANZ Business Loan Established SMEs with stronger docs	8.35% - 14.75%	$20,000 - $1,000,000	1-7 years	3-7 business days	Compare now
Judo Bank	Judo Business Loan Larger SME growth and acquisition loans	8.50% - 13.95%	$100,000 - $3,000,000	1-10 years	3-10 business days	Compare now
Prospa	Prospa Business Loan Fast unsecured working-capital access	13.90%	$5,000 - $500,000	0.3-3 years	Within 24 hours	Compare now
Banjo	Banjo Business Finance Growing SMEs needing flexible capital	14.20%	$20,000 - $500,000	0.3-3 years	1-2 business days	Compare now
Lumi	Lumi Line of Credit Reusable credit for ongoing gaps	14.55%	$10,000 - $750,000	0.5-5 years	24-48 hours	Compare now
OnDeck	OnDeck Business Loan Fast online unsecured lending	15.00%	$10,000 - $250,000	0.5-3 years	24-48 hours	Compare now
Moula	Moula Business Loan Short-term cash-flow funding	15.80%	$5,000 - $250,000	0.3-2 years	Same day possible	Compare now
Capify	Capify Business Loan Short-term revenue-linked funding	16.50%	$5,000 - $300,000	0.3-2 years	Within 24 hours	Compare now

BOQ

BOQ Business Loan

7.50%

$20,000 - $250,000 • 1-7 years

2-5 business days

Best for: Established SMEs with strong financials

Compare now

Liberty

Liberty Business Loan

7.95% - 17.45%

$10,000 - $350,000 • 1-7 years

24-72 hours

Best for: Flexible criteria and sole traders

Compare now

CommBank

CommBank BetterBusiness Loan

8.15% - 14.25%

$10,000 - $500,000 • 1-7 years

2-6 business days

Best for: Bank pathway with relationship banking

Compare now

NAB

NAB Business Options Loan

8.20% - 14.40%

$10,000 - $1,000,000 • 1-7 years

3-7 business days

Best for: SMEs wanting bank-backed facilities

Compare now

ANZ

ANZ Business Loan

8.35% - 14.75%

$20,000 - $1,000,000 • 1-7 years

3-7 business days

Best for: Established SMEs with stronger docs

Compare now

Judo Bank

Judo Business Loan

8.50% - 13.95%

$100,000 - $3,000,000 • 1-10 years

3-10 business days

Best for: Larger SME growth and acquisition loans

Compare now

Prospa

Prospa Business Loan

13.90%

$5,000 - $500,000 • 0.3-3 years

Within 24 hours

Best for: Fast unsecured working-capital access

Compare now

Banjo

Banjo Business Finance

14.20%

$20,000 - $500,000 • 0.3-3 years

1-2 business days

Best for: Growing SMEs needing flexible capital

Compare now

Lumi

Lumi Line of Credit

14.55%

$10,000 - $750,000 • 0.5-5 years

24-48 hours

Best for: Reusable credit for ongoing gaps

Compare now

OnDeck

OnDeck Business Loan

15.00%

$10,000 - $250,000 • 0.5-3 years

24-48 hours

Best for: Fast online unsecured lending

Compare now

Moula

Moula Business Loan

15.80%

$5,000 - $250,000 • 0.3-2 years

Same day possible

Best for: Short-term cash-flow funding

Compare now

Capify

Capify Business Loan

16.50%

$5,000 - $300,000 • 0.3-2 years

Within 24 hours

Best for: Short-term revenue-linked funding

Compare now

Rates shown are publicly advertised starting rates and ranges where available. Your actual rate depends on lender assessment, security, turnover, time in business, credit profile and loan structure. Updated 10 May 2026.

Decision guide

Situation	Better starting point	Why
Clear one-off purchase	Asset or term finance	Match repayments to the use of funds
Repeat cash-flow timing gaps	Line of credit or working capital finance	Compare reusable access against fixed repayments
Bank declined or documents are incomplete	Check funding fit before applying again	Avoid repeated applications without fixing the reason

How this page is reviewed

Field	Method
Last reviewed	2026-05-14
Sources checked	Public lender pages, product pages, government or regulatory sources where relevant, and Comparison One rate-table inputs
How data is ordered	By funding-fit relevance, product type and editorial grouping
Limits	Rates, limits, terms, fees and eligibility can change without notice and depend on lender assessment
Commercial disclosure	Comparison One may receive referral or partner compensation, but this does not guarantee approval or mean a product is suitable

Compare the main funding paths

Funding path	May suit	Why compare it	Watch-outs
Bank loan	Strong docs, time, security	Potentially lower pricing	Slower criteria and more paperwork
Non-bank loan	Speed, flexible criteria, bank decline	Faster pathways for some SMEs	Cost can be higher
Specialist facility	Invoices, equipment, trade or seasonal need	Matches funding to the specific problem	Eligibility depends on asset or receivable quality

Direct answer

Retail and ecommerce businesses in Australia typically need finance for stock purchasing ahead of seasonal demand, shop fitout and renovation, POS and ecommerce platform investment, marketing and customer acquisition spend, working capital to cover timing gaps between supplier payments and customer receipts, and expansion to new locations or channels.

The retail sector has faced persistent pressure. Insolvencies in retail rose nearly 20% in the nine months to March 2025. Consumer spending has shifted toward essentials, and small retailers have experienced more subdued sales growth than larger players since late 2022.

The funding challenge in retail is timing-driven. Stock ordered months before Christmas, marketing spend before a product launch, and fitout costs before a store opening all require upfront cash that the business may not yet have. The right finance structure matches the timing gap.

Online retailers face additional complexity: platform fees, payment settlement delays (2, 5 days for card payments, longer for marketplaces), advertising cost volatility, and the need to fund inventory across multiple sales channels.

Indicative rate context:

Unsecured loans from 14.45% p.a.

Line of credit from 14.55% p.a.

Secured finance from 7.49% p.a.

Equipment finance from 7.49% p.a. (for fitout, POS, packaging equipment)

Actual rates depend on the lender, trading profile, revenue, security and product type.

✓Stock and inventory purchasing before seasonal peaks (Christmas, EOFY, sales events)

✓Shop fitout, shelving, refrigeration, display fixtures

✓POS and payment terminal systems

✓Ecommerce platform build, website, app development

✓Marketing and customer acquisition spend (Meta, Google, marketplace ads)

✓Working capital to bridge supplier payment timing

✓New store or channel expansion

Common retail and ecommerce funding scenarios

Retail and ecommerce funding needs vary by business model. Below are common scenarios with the type of finance that typically fits.

✓Christmas and peak season inventory build: A bricks-and-mortar retailer needs $80,000 to buy stock before the November, December trading period. Supplier requires payment within 30 days, but customer sales will land over 6, 8 weeks. Finance fit: Trade finance (tied to specific stock orders) or a line of credit for flexible draw-and-repay. Unsecured business loans also work for one-off larger stock orders

✓Shop fitout for a new location: A 60sqm retail space requires shelving, counter, lighting, signage, change rooms, POS system and security. Cost $60,000, $200,000. Finance fit: Equipment finance for fixed assets (fitout, shelving, POS hardware) combined with a working capital loan for soft costs (design, project management, stock for opening). Secured rates from 7.49% p.a

✓Ecommerce platform upgrade: An online store with $30,000/month in Shopify revenue needs a platform rebuild, better product photography, SEO optimisation and a Klaviyo email automation setup. Cost $25,000, $50,000. Finance fit: Unsecured business loan (fast approval from 14.45% p.a., no asset security required). Some revenue-based finance providers also fund marketing and platform investment based on sales history

✓Omnichannel stock funding: A retailer sells through a physical store, Shopify website and Amazon Marketplace. Stock is held across three warehouses. Cash flow is tied up in inventory while settlement from Amazon and Shopify takes 7, 14 days. Finance fit: Business line of credit (from 14.55% p.a.) allows repeat drawdown to manage cash-flow timing across channels

✓Marketing spend before a product launch: A fashion label needs $40,000 for a Meta Ads and influencer campaign ahead of a new collection launch. Sales from the campaign will arrive over 4, 8 weeks. Finance fit: Unsecured business loan for a one-off campaign, or a revenue-based finance product where repayments scale with sales. Shopify Capital and Wayflyer-style products may also be available for eligible merchants

✓End-of-financial-year stock clearance and restock: A retailer needs to clear slow-moving inventory at a discount and then restock with new season lines. Gap period of 6, 8 weeks where revenue is lower but costs continue. Finance fit: Working capital loan or line of credit to bridge the transition between clearance and new season trading

Lender types that fit retail and ecommerce businesses

The best lender type depends on whether the business is bricks-and-mortar, pure-play ecommerce or omnichannel, and whether the funding need is one-off or recurring.

✓Major banks: Best for established retailers with 3+ years of trading, property security and clean financials. Suitable for large fitouts, new store openings or franchise acquisitions. Rates can be competitive but approval timelines are longer (2, 6 weeks)

✓Non-bank online lenders: Assess based on recent bank statements and trading data. Approval in 24, 72 hours. Suited to retailers with strong recent revenue that need speed. Higher rates (unsecured from 14.45% p.a.) but useful for stock orders or marketing spend with tight timing windows

✓Trade finance providers: Specifically designed for stock and inventory purchases. The funding is tied to the purchase order or supplier invoice. Useful for import-heavy retailers or businesses buying large seasonal orders. Fees are typically charged per transaction rather than as ongoing interest

✓Revenue-based and platform lenders: Shopify Capital, Wayflyer and similar providers offer funding based on ecommerce platform sales data. Repayments are linked to revenue, which helps during slower trading periods. Available to merchants on Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon and other platforms. Flat fee structure rather than interest

✓Equipment finance specialists: For fitout, POS hardware, refrigeration, shelving, security systems and other physical assets. The equipment serves as security, which can make approval easier for newer retailers. Rates from 7.49% p.a

✓Line of credit providers: Well suited to retailers with predictable seasonal revenue cycles. Allows drawdown during stock-build periods and repayment after peak trade. Only pay interest on the amount drawn. From 14.55% p.a

What lenders look at for retail and ecommerce applications

Retail lending assessment differs from other industries because margins are often thin, inventory ties up working capital, and consumer demand can shift quickly. Ecommerce adds complexity around platform dependency, marketing spend and payment settlement timing.

✓Revenue and trading history: Lenders prefer 12+ months of consistent or growing revenue. For ecommerce businesses, platform settlement data (Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce) may be accepted alongside bank statements. Seasonal dips are expected if the annual trend is positive

✓Inventory turnover and margin: Lenders may assess how quickly stock sells and what gross margin the business runs. A retailer with high inventory turnover and healthy margins (40%+) is viewed more favourably than one with slow-moving stock and thin margins

✓Channel diversification: For ecommerce businesses, reliance on a single sales channel or platform is viewed as higher risk. Multi-channel retailers (store + website + marketplace) typically have stronger applications

✓Marketing efficiency: Lenders to ecommerce businesses may ask about customer acquisition cost (CAC) and return on ad spend (ROAS). A business spending $1.50 to acquire a customer that generates $30 in lifetime value is different from one spending $25 to acquire a customer that buys once

✓Payment settlement timing: Card settlement takes 2, 5 business days. Marketplace settlement (Amazon, eBay) can take 7, 14 days. Platform settlement (Shopify Payments) varies. Lenders look at the gap between sale and available cash

✓Stock and supplier concentration: A retailer that relies on one or two suppliers or imports from a single country faces higher supply-chain risk. Lenders may ask about supplier diversity

✓Lease or premises stability: For bricks-and-mortar retailers, the lease term and rent cost relative to revenue matter. Rent-to-turnover ratio above 15, 20% may reduce borrowing capacity

✓Personal guarantee: Most retail finance applications will require a director's personal guarantee, especially for unsecured or non-bank products. Secured loans backed by property or equipment may still require a guarantee

Documents and readiness

Having the right documents ready before applying improves approval outcomes for retail and ecommerce businesses. Lenders need to verify revenue and trading patterns in an industry where cash-flow timing is critical.

✓6, 12 months of business bank statements showing revenue and trading patterns

✓BAS statements for the most recent 2, 4 quarters

✓Valid ABN and business registration details

✓Supplier quotes, purchase orders or invoices for the stock, equipment or fitout being funded

✓Ecommerce platform sales history (Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon settlement reports) if applicable

✓Lease agreement for bricks-and-mortar retail premises

✓Profit and loss statement for the most recent financial year (if available)

✓Personal identification and director details

✓ATO account statement or payment plan confirmation (if applicable)

✓Marketing performance data (ROAS, CAC, conversion rates) for ecommerce-focused applications

Rates and cost context

Retail and ecommerce finance rates vary by product type, security and business profile. The indicative ranges below provide a starting reference only.

Unsecured loans from 14.45% p.a.: typically for smaller amounts ($5,000, $150,000), fast approval, no asset security. Best for short-term working capital, stock orders or marketing spend.

Line of credit from 14.55% p.a.: drawn amount only, flexible repayment. Suited to retailers with seasonal inventory cycles or repeat timing gaps between trade periods.

Secured loans from 7.49% p.a.: for larger amounts ($50,000, $500,000+), secured against property or business assets. Longer terms (3, 7 years), lower monthly payments. Best for fitout, expansion or large stock orders.

Equipment finance from 7.49% p.a.: for fitout, POS hardware, refrigeration, shelving, security, packaging equipment. The asset serves as security. Terms 2, 5 years.

Trade finance: fees vary per transaction. Typically 1, 3% of the invoice or order value per month. Tied to specific supplier payments or purchase orders.

Revenue-based finance: flat fee structure, typically 8, 18% of the advance amount. Repaid as a percentage of daily or weekly sales. No compounding interest. Available to ecommerce merchants with strong platform sales data.

Important caveats:

- Advertised starting rates apply to the strongest applications only. Real rates depend on business profile, trading history, security, credit history and lender policy.

- For ecommerce businesses, platform-linked financing (Shopify Capital, Wayflyer) uses a flat fee rather than an interest rate. Compare the effective total cost, not just the fee percentage.

- Trade finance and revenue-based products can be more expensive than secured loans but may be the only option for businesses without security or with short trading history.

✓Unsecured loans: from 14.45% p.a

✓Line of credit: from 14.55% p.a

✓Secured loans: from 7.49% p.a

✓Equipment finance: from 7.49% p.a

✓Trade finance: 1, 3% per month typical

✓Revenue-based finance: 8, 18% flat fee typical

Next steps

Retail and ecommerce finance starts with understanding the specific timing gap or asset need.

Step 1: Identify what the funding is for: stock, fitout, equipment, marketing, platform investment, or a combination.

Step 2: Check whether you have security (property, equipment, fitout assets) that could unlock lower rates.

Step 3: Use the Comparison One funding-fit check to narrow which product type and lender pathway may fit.

Step 4: Prepare your documents: bank statements, BAS, supplier quotes, platform sales data: before approaching any lender.

Step 5: Compare offers on total cost and repayment rhythm. A daily repayment may not suit a retailer whose revenue comes in weekly or monthly. A line of credit may suit seasonal needs better than a term loan.

Comparison One helps narrow the starting point. We do not lend money or provide financial advice. We help retail and ecommerce business owners compare funding pathways and move toward a realistic next step.

✓Start the funding-fit check: 90 seconds, no credit pull

✓Compare equipment finance, unsecured loans and lines of credit side by side

✓Read more: Working capital, Line of credit, Trade finance

✓Compare rates across lenders before submitting an application

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a business loan for stock and inventory purchases?

Yes. Stock and inventory funding is one of the most common retail finance needs. Options include trade finance (tied to specific supplier orders), unsecured business loans (fast approval, no security), lines of credit (reusable as stock is sold and restocked) and secured loans for larger seasonal orders. The right option depends on whether the need is one-off or ongoing.

What finance options are available for ecommerce businesses without physical assets?

Ecommerce businesses without physical assets can access unsecured business loans (from 14.45% p.a.), revenue-based finance (Shopify Capital, Wayflyer: repayments linked to sales), lines of credit (from 14.55% p.a.) and platform-specific funding. Lenders typically assess based on platform sales data, bank statements and marketing performance rather than physical security.

Can I finance an ecommerce platform rebuild or website upgrade?

Yes. Ecommerce platform investment can be funded through unsecured business loans or revenue-based finance. Some lenders will accept quotes from developers or agencies as evidence of the use of funds. If the platform upgrade includes hardware (servers, POS terminals connected to the website), equipment finance may also apply to those components.

How do lenders assess seasonal retail businesses?

Lenders expect seasonal revenue patterns in retail. They typically look at annual turnover trends rather than monthly consistency. A business line of credit is often the best fit for seasonal retailers because it allows drawdown during stock-build periods and repayment after peak trade. Lenders may ask for 12+ months of bank statements to verify the seasonal pattern.

Is omnichannel retail viewed more favourably by lenders?

Generally yes. Retailers with multiple revenue channels (physical store + website + marketplace) are often viewed as lower risk because they are less dependent on any single sales channel. Multi-channel businesses also tend to have more data available for lender assessment, which can support stronger applications.

What is the difference between trade finance and a business loan for stock?

Trade finance is tied to a specific supplier payment or purchase order: the funds go directly to the supplier or reimburse the business after proof of purchase. A business loan provides a lump sum that can be used for stock or other purposes. Trade finance may be easier to qualify for if the specific stock order has clear margin and repayment path, while a business loan is more flexible but may require stronger overall financials.

What documents do retail lenders typically ask for?

Lenders commonly ask for 6, 12 months of business bank statements, BAS statements, ABN details, supplier quotes or invoices, and director identification. For ecommerce businesses, platform sales reports (Shopify, Amazon settlement) may be accepted alongside or instead of bank statements. For larger secured loans, financial statements, tax returns and lease agreements may also be required.