How FlexiPay could help your small business manage cash flow this winter

Black Friday and Christmas are on the horizon. Energy bills are going up once again. If your income is dependent on seasonal sales, it’s likely you’re facing a cash flow gap right about now. 

We’ve got your back this winter with FlexiPay, a flexible line of credit that adapts to the ups and downs of your business. 

Here we explore how FlexiPay could help your business better manage any extra seasonal costs.

What is FlexiPay from Funding Circle?

FlexiPay gives you the freedom to decide when and how you make business payments. You can use FlexiPay to pay for almost any business cost, such as VAT bills, purchasing stock or paying invoices.

Simply pay upfront by card or transfer cash directly to pay bills or suppliers, just like making a bank transfer. Then choose how you repay – whether over 1, 3, 6, 9 or 12 months.*

Whatever you choose, you’re charged just one flat fee from 1.99%, per transaction. No interest, no hidden costs, no surprises.

5 ways FlexiPay could help manage winter business costs

FlexiPay is designed to offer more flexibility with almost any business payment. It can be used to pay recurring bills, such as VAT, rent and utilities, or pay suppliers, payroll or unexpected invoices. You can also use your card for everyday expenses, professional services, business trips and larger purchases, both online and in store.

Here are five ways FlexiPay could support your business this winter:

1 - Buy Christmas stock in bulk and protect your margins

Buying stock in bulk can help you negotiate better prices with suppliers, but it also means tying up more cash before you've made a sale.

FlexiPay lets you pay suppliers upfront, so you can take advantage of possible discounts without having to cover the full cost from your available cash. You can then choose a repayment period that fits your cash flow.

Our customer Vik, who owns 8 Rocks Deli & Wine, used his line of credit to do just that. He told us: “We sell over 120 different wines, so FlexiPay means I can buy in bulk and buy more for less, as I have been able to negotiate discounts of up to 10% on wholesale prices.”

2 - Keep seasonal staffing plans on track

Taking on extra staff can help you meet increased demand over Christmas, but wages need to be paid before all your seasonal sales revenue has necessarily come in.

FlexiPay could help you manage the timing of payroll payments alongside other outgoings, so you're better placed to maintain staffing levels during your busiest period. You can select a repayment term that suits your business's expected cash flow.

3 - Manage higher winter running costs

Rising energy bills can put pressure on your cash reserves, particularly when you're already paying for stock, staffing and other seasonal expenses.

If your energy bill is higher than expected, FlexiPay lets you spread the cost over several months instead of paying it all upfront.

4 - Thank your team and customers

Christmas is a chance to thank your team for their hard work and show your clients that you value their business. But these expenses often land at the same time as other seasonal costs.

FlexiPay could help you budget for staff celebrations, client entertainment and business travel, and then plan repayments around your other business commitments.

5 - Capitalise on seasonal demand with marketing 

If Christmas is your business’s peak sales period, you might want to invest in marketing to reach more customers. This could include running a targeted campaign, updating your website or hiring a marketing specialist to help you make the most of the Christmas rush.

FlexiPay could help you pay for marketing services upfront, so you can get campaigns moving when the opportunity is there rather than waiting for cash to become available.

If your small business could benefit from extra cash flow this winter without the long-term commitment of a loan, then FlexiPay could be right for you. Check your eligibility online in minutes.

09/11/26: While we want to help as much as we can, the information found here is provided solely for informational purposes and should not be considered financial or legal advice. To the extent permitted by law, Funding Circle does not accept any liability for any loss or damage which may arise directly or indirectly from the use of, or reliance on, the information contained here. If you have any questions, please speak to your professional adviser or seek independent legal advice. 

* Please note that 1-month repayment terms are not available on all accounts.