Financial issues are a big challenge for all retailers — and this is especially so for small firms.

As Marianne Wilson reports in Chain Store Age: “Access to operating capital remains an ongoing challenge for some retailers, which are still facing a difficult time when it comes to securing a loan. The problem is particularly acute for small and medium-sized businesses: Among U.S. small business owners, 90% believe the availability of credit for small businesses is a problem, and 61% agree it’s harder to get a loan now than it was four years ago, according to a recent study by the American Sustainable Business Council, Small Business Majority and Main Street Alliance. As a result, some retailers are looking beyond traditional finance options and seeking out alternative lending solutions. One such option is merchant cash advance services, which can provide retailers with the fast capital needed for renovations, inventory, expansion, and other needs. Also known as business cash advances, the growing popularity of merchant cash advance services is driven by relatively low personal credit requirements and quick process of obtaining the cash advance.”