diff --git a/src/checkoutservice/main.go b/src/checkoutservice/main.go
index 78b4b94..15cf5fa 100644
--- a/src/checkoutservice/main.go
+++ b/src/checkoutservice/main.go
@@ -96,6 +96,8 @@ func (cs *checkoutService) PlaceOrder(ctx context.Context, req *pb.PlaceOrderReq
 		return nil, status.Errorf(codes.Unavailable, "shipping error: %+v", err)
 	}
 
+	_ = cs.emptyUserCart(ctx, req.UserId)
+
 	orderResult := &pb.OrderResult{
 		OrderId:            orderID.String(),
 		ShippingTrackingId: shippingTrackingID,
@@ -175,6 +177,19 @@ func (cs *checkoutService) getUserCart(ctx context.Context, userID string) ([]*p
 	return cart.GetItems(), nil
 }
 
+func (cs *checkoutService) emptyUserCart(ctx context.Context, userID string) error {
+	conn, err := grpc.DialContext(ctx, cs.cartSvcAddr, grpc.WithInsecure())
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("could not connect cart service: %+v", err)
+	}
+	defer conn.Close()
+
+	if _, err = pb.NewCartServiceClient(conn).EmptyCart(ctx, &pb.EmptyCartRequest{UserId: userID}); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to empty user cart during checkout: %+v", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (cs *checkoutService) prepOrderItems(ctx context.Context, items []*pb.CartItem, userCurrency string) ([]*pb.OrderItem, error) {
 	out := make([]*pb.OrderItem, len(items))
 
diff --git a/src/frontend/templates/footer.html b/src/frontend/templates/footer.html
index acfdca7..9d94cde 100644
--- a/src/frontend/templates/footer.html
+++ b/src/frontend/templates/footer.html
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {{ define "footer" }}
     <script src="https://stackpath.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/4.1.1/js/bootstrap.min.js" integrity="sha384-smHYKdLADwkXOn1EmN1qk/HfnUcbVRZyYmZ4qpPea6sjB/pTJ0euyQp0Mk8ck+5T" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
-    <small class="text-muted mx-auto">This is a demo application. ({{$.session_id}})</small>
+    <small class="text-muted mx-auto">This is a demo application, not a real retail business. ({{$.session_id}})</small>
 </body>
 </html>
 {{ end }}