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Accounting and invoicing for retailers

In the shop customers pay at the till. Beside that there are business customers with an invoice, orders on call, returns and many suppliers with their own payment terms. Saldiqo takes over that part and keeps purchasing and payments in hand.

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What comes up for retailers and specialist shops

Till and invoice side by side

Walk-in customers pay through the till. Companies, clubs and public bodies order on invoice, often with a delivery note and a payment term.

Purchasing from many suppliers

Every supplier has its own invoices, due dates and discounts. Without an overview you pay too early or too late.

Items and prices

Hundreds of items with numbers, units and prices should be right in every quote and invoice without retyping them.

Returns and credit notes

Customers bring goods back, and every return needs a correction to the original invoice.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Item masterYou create items with number, unit and price once and add them to quotes and invoices with a click.
  • Quote, delivery note, invoiceFor business customers the quote becomes the order confirmation, the delivery note and the invoice, all linked.
  • Supplier invoices with due datesYou record purchase invoices with their due date. Open invoices can be bundled into a batch payment file for online banking.
  • Credit note on returnThe correction stays linked to the original invoice.
  • Cost centre per branchAssign income and expenses to branches and compare them in the report.

Typical invoice lines

Examples that often appear on invoices in this industry. You set the prices yourself.

  • Items as per order, delivered to the company address
  • Made to measure, flat fee
  • Shipping and packaging
  • Credit note: return of two items
  • Gift voucher, issued
  • Set-up and briefing on site

Tax and invoicing in the UK

What applies to invoices in the UK, in short. As of October 2026.

VAT
Standard rate 20 %, reduced rate 5 % and zero rate 0 %. Saldiqo calculates each invoice line with the rate you pick.
VAT registration
You must register once your taxable turnover passes £90,000 over any 12 months, or you expect to pass it within the next 30 days. You can deregister below £88,000. Until you are registered, your invoices show no VAT, and Saldiqo adds up your 12-month turnover for you.
What goes on an invoice
If you are VAT registered: your VAT number, the tax point, unit prices and the VAT total in pounds. A limited company shows its registered name on every invoice, and its company number, registered office and part of the UK on letters, order forms and the website.
E-invoicing
There is no mandate today. From April 2029 e-invoicing is planned for all B2B and B2G sales that carry VAT, through Peppol. The exact date and standard are not yet in law, and the government’s roadmap follows with the Budget on 28 October 2026.
VAT returns
VAT returns go to HMRC through Making Tax Digital, usually quarterly, due one month and seven days after the period. Saldiqo shows sales and VAT per rate and exports CSV. It does not submit to HMRC, and for Making Tax Digital you need software recognised by HMRC.
Record keeping
Keep VAT records for 6 years.
Late payment
Statutory interest on late business payments is the Bank Rate (3.75 % in the second half of 2026) plus 8 points, so 11.75 %. On top comes fixed compensation of £40, £70 or £100, depending on the amount owed (under £1,000, from £1,000, from £10,000). Consumers have no statutory interest.
Getting paid
Your sort code and account number are on every invoice. Customers pay by Faster Payments or Bacs, and banks check the account name with Confirmation of Payee. There is no QR standard in the UK.

Frequently asked questions

Does Saldiqo replace the shop till?

No. Saldiqo is not a till system. Cash sales in the shop belong in a till that meets the rules of your country. Saldiqo handles invoices, delivery notes, reminders and expenses.

Is there an item master?

Yes. You create items with number, unit, price and tax rate once and insert them into quotes and invoices.

Can I evaluate several branches separately?

Yes, with cost centres. You assign income and expenses to a branch and see the report per branch.

Do retailers and specialist shops in the UK have to charge VAT?

Only once they are VAT registered. Registration is required when taxable turnover passes £90,000 over any 12 months, or is expected to within the next 30 days. Below that you may register voluntarily. If you are not registered, you must not show VAT on your invoices.

Do retailers and specialist shops in the UK need e-invoicing?

Not today. A mandate for B2B and B2G sales with VAT is planned from April 2029, and the details were still open as of October 2026. You can keep sending PDF invoices for now.

How long should retailers and specialist shops keep invoices?

Keep VAT records for 6 years. You can store receipts digitally in Saldiqo. The legal duty to keep records stays with you.

Try Saldiqo for free

Write invoices, match payments, collect receipts and send reminders: free and without a trial period.

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As of October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice, without guarantee. For your case ask your tax adviser.