Mercato Place, a new online sampling resource for the A&D industry, has made its debut. The platform enables specifiers to search resource libraries and order free textile samples from leading international manufacturers and distributors.
“We’re thrilled to unveil Mercato Place—which is designed to be the simplest, most environmentally friendly solution for discovering current, high-quality samples from leading textile brands,” says Ray Sayers, Mercato Place founder and president. “Our platform is not just a place to work, it’s a community. Here, our partner brands can express their unique personalities with reciprocal links and content. Designers won’t get lost in a clutter of products; instead, they’ll be in a curated space created especially for them.”
The catalog of brand partners includes Designtex, Mayer Fabrics, Arc-Com, Momentum, Kravet Contract, Valley Forge Fabrics, Fil Doux, Camira, Luna, HBF Textiles, and Fabric Innovations.
Developed with makers, textile distributors, and specifiers top of mind, Mercato Place is open to architects, purchasing managers, resource librarians, and more. The platform is also free for designers or those looking to specify materials, and provides a range of delivery options in an effort to reduce environmental impact. The sample takeback program further emphasizes the concept’s sustainable principles. The cost to join Mercato Place is estimated to be 30 to 40 percent less than other platforms.
“For our partners, our goal is a sampling solution that amplifies their brand and better connects them to designers while costing less. The estimated savings will enable them to invest more into their own new product development,” adds executive vice president Alison Goldman. “Mercato Place is not a clearinghouse for products from multitudes of manufacturers. While a lot of choices can be great, they also collectively can create a confusing and time-consuming user experience.”
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