A system and method for performing a distributed search in response to a user request. In response to a search request received from a user at a local server, a request is spawned and transmitted to a remote site to search information at the remote site. Substantially in parallel with the remote search request, a search of local resources (e.g., catalog of products/services) is initiated. At the remote site (e.g., an electronic marketplace), the search is conducted in the proper context for the user (e.g., user identity, language, organization) and the results are returned to the local server. The local server merges the local and remote search results, applies any desired business logic (e.g., to screen the results by price, description or other criteria) and provides a uniform display to the user.