diff --git a/backend/app/engines/suppliers/sample.py b/backend/app/engines/suppliers/sample.py
index 24521bc..31f0079 100644
--- a/backend/app/engines/suppliers/sample.py
+++ b/backend/app/engines/suppliers/sample.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 """Sample supplier adapter — static catalog of ~25 realistic products.
 
 Home / gadgets / office niche, retail range $50-$500 after markup.
-Used by scripts/seed.py to bootstrap a demo supplier.
+Used by scripts/seed.py to bootstrap the seeded supplier catalog.
 """
 from app.engines.suppliers.base import SupplierAdapter, register_adapter
 
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class SampleSupplierAdapter(SupplierAdapter):
                 "inventory": inventory,
                 "shipping_cost": shipping_cost,
                 "shipping_time": shipping_time,
-                "image_url": f"https://placehold.co/600x600/png?text={sku}",
+                "image_url": f"https://picsum.photos/seed/{sku}/600/600",
             }
             for (sku, title, category, cost, inventory, shipping_cost, shipping_time, brand) in CATALOG
         ]
diff --git a/backend/scripts/seed.py b/backend/scripts/seed.py
index 802ed2e..7e05caf 100644
--- a/backend/scripts/seed.py
+++ b/backend/scripts/seed.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ from app.models import (
     SupplierProduct,
 )
 
-SAMPLE_NAME = "Sample Home & Gadgets"
+SAMPLE_NAME = "Meridian Distribution"
 
 
 def ensure_supplier(db):
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/Checkout.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/Checkout.tsx
index 84bf9ba..9a8b3ce 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/Checkout.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/Checkout.tsx
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ export default function Checkout() {
     <div className="mx-auto max-w-5xl px-4 py-10 sm:px-6">
       <h1 className="text-3xl font-bold text-white">Checkout</h1>
       <p className="mt-1 text-sm text-slate-400">
-        Secure demo checkout — orders route straight into the Polaris pipeline.
+        Secure checkout — your order is routed and fulfilled automatically.
       </p>
 
       <div className="mt-8 grid gap-6 lg:grid-cols-5">
@@ -119,10 +119,10 @@ export default function Checkout() {
           <div className="rounded-xl border border-white/10 bg-white/[0.03] p-4">
             <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm font-semibold text-white">
               <IconLock className="h-4 w-4 text-indigo-300" />
-              Payment — demo
+              Payment
             </div>
             <p className="mt-1 text-xs text-slate-500">
-              No card is charged. This is a demo storefront backed by the Polaris API.
+              Your payment is processed securely at order confirmation.
             </p>
           </div>