The season's sales come in a few weeks. The season's bills come in a few months earlier. That gap is where retailers go short.
Apply Now →| When | What happens to cash |
|---|---|
| Late summer | Buyers commit to holiday orders, often with deposits |
| Early fall | Balances come due as shipments land, and cash is at its lowest |
| Weeks before the holidays | Seasonal staff, displays, signage and advertising add to costs |
| Peak weeks | Sales arrive fast and cash recovers |
| After the holidays | Returns, leftover stock and the January lull |
For many shops the entire year's profit is decided in a short window, but the cost of that window is paid in the quietest part of the calendar.
A gift shop plans to stock $55,000 of seasonal merchandise, $12,000 of display and packaging costs, and $9,000 of extra labor. Total cash out before the first big sales weekend is $76,000, and the shop's normal account balance covers only part of that. The business is not weak. It simply needs cash earlier than the season can return it. These numbers are invented and are not our terms or a forecast for any shop.
Unsold stock turns cash into dead weight and forces January markdowns that eat margin.
Running out of your best sellers in mid-December leaves sales on the table, which is a cost you never see on a statement.
The right amount sits between the two and depends on your own sales history.
Plan the January side of the ledger before you buy. Leftover stock needs a markdown plan, returns need cash on hand, and the weeks after the holidays are often the slowest of the year. Retailers who set aside part of peak-week sales for the January gap are the ones who reach spring without a second round of stress. A holiday bridge works best when you can see the repayment coming from the peak itself, not from a hope that January will be better.
We fund $25,000 to $5,000,000, in as little as 24 hours, and the application takes about five minutes with a soft credit pull. We consider FICO 500 and above and ask for about three months of business bank statements, not tax returns. A statement that shows last season's deposits alongside this quarter's helps a funder see the seasonal pattern. Sole proprietors can apply, which includes many independent shop owners. Apply early enough to place orders before supplier deadlines close.
Before supplier order deadlines, since stock is commonly bought months ahead of the peak.
Start from last year's actual sales by category, buy deeper on proven sellers, and set a ceiling for what you can carry if sales fall short.
Seasonal swings are normal in retail. A funder reading about three months of statements can see how your business behaves.
No tax returns are required.
Yes. Sole proprietors can apply.
Three months of business bank statements and a 5-minute application. FICO 500+ considered. $25,000 to $5,000,000, funded in as little as 24 hours.
Apply Now →It takes about two minutes and it will not affect your credit score.
No obligation • No impact to your credit score
