What alterations records should I hand a buyer, and how far back?

Start with income. Buyers want to see sales by month and by type of work, such as hems, formal wear and repairs, so they can see the seasons and what pays. Pull those from your till and bookkeeping and make sure they match the tax records your accountant keeps. Ask your buyer early what format they prefer, since a spreadsheet and a folder of scanned receipts will answer most questions before they are asked. Keep a copy of everything you share.

Then give the customer picture: repeat clients, referral partners such as dry cleaners or bridal shops, and any regular accounts. Remove personal details until a buyer is serious and has signed a confidentiality agreement.

Add the operational records. List equipment with its age and service history, supplier terms, the lease, staff roles and pay. A buyer who sees these clearly can plan, and you will avoid repeated questions. How far back depends on what the buyer needs. Your accountant and the buyer’s adviser will have views, and a lender may set its own requirement. Offer more history for the numbers and less for the day-to-day detail. Organized records, with a short cover note explaining anything unusual, make the sale smoother and show that you ran the shop carefully.

Key takeaways

• Provide sales by month and by type of work.
• Hold customer details until the buyer has signed a confidentiality agreement.
• Ask your accountant how far back the buyer’s lender will want.