Considerations When Choosing Your Next Mannequin
Mannequins should be an essential part of your visual merchandising strategy, as they can effectively attract new customers to your store. They can be positioned in window displays or used to showcase new product lines in high-traffic areas like the entrance.
Additionally, mannequins can reflect your company’s values and provide potential customers an insight into your products and services, to see if they align with their preferences.
When researching which mannequin to get, you may have looked at a few points such as the design and style. We’ve explored some common questions in our first ‘How to Choose Your Next Mannequin’ article and here we’ll answer a few more questions which you may or may not have considered.
How diverse are mannequins?
Diversity and inclusivity are increasingly becoming a natural expectation for people, so this should be important to you. After all, your customers could cover a wide spectrum of body types, backgrounds, and identities so it’s crucial to represent this within your brand.
A simple way to do this is in-store is with mannequins. Clothing isn’t a one-size-fits-all, so a range of mannequins should also be available which can represent all sizes. Our Curve mannequin range for example, represents sizes M/L (14/16), which matches the UK average dress size.
It makes sense that customers want to see products on models that best represent them as it makes it easier for them to visualise them wearing those clothes and buy into your products and brand.
Are mannequins recyclable?
Sustainability continues to be a priority for consumers as we strive to incorporate more eco-friendly practices into all areas of our lives. People want products to be both environmentally friendly and visually appealing. Luckily, the majority of our mannequins are recyclable and stylish, so you don’t have to compromise between sustainability and aesthetics.
Remember to contact your local public recycling centre to see if they can recycle your old mannequin. Alternatively, be creative and consider upcycling your mannequin to give it a new lease of life.
What kind of mannequin pose is the best?
When considering mannequin poses, look to your customers for inspiration. For instance, if you cater to a clientele that prefers minimalist and sleek clothing, opt for elegant and simple mannequin poses to show off your garments effectively.
You should also think about whether you will be using multiple mannequins and how close together they will be. Using a single style of mannequin to display several outfits can create a cohesive and impactful look and help to draw attention to the differences between the clothing. Or you could mix up the poses of the mannequins, such as using a combination of seated and standing poses. Another idea is to mix up different types of standing poses - a great way to show off a similar collection of garments.
What type of mannequin would look best in my store?
Put yourself in your customer's shoes and think about what type of mannequin would stand out to them and that they’d relate to the most. Another aspect to consider is how your store looks and the layout. Visualise the path which customer’s will be moving around your shop and strategically place mannequins in key areas to highlight clothes. Additionally, consider the style of the mannequins and how they would fit into the store’s interior design to create symmetry and a well-thought-out layout.
What does the future of mannequins look like?
We’ve been hearing a lot about AI and new technology in a variety of business sectors, so it’s no surprise that it’s starting to be used in retail.
Outform for example, has introduced the 'digital mannequin' as an interactive visual merchandising platform.
This doesn’t mean that mannequins themselves are becoming high-tech (or not yet at least). Some shops are simply placing QR codes next to dressed mannequins, allowing shoppers to quickly scan and find details on the outfit, which they can refer to later. This is also a great way to incorporate omnichannel marketing; ‘omnichannel’ refers to providing a seamless experience for customers across multiple channels.
While mannequins will continue to be an essential aspect of visual merchandising for many businesses, it will be interesting to see how technology continues to be integrated into the customer experience.
View our full Mannequins range.
Mannequins are often referred to as the silent salespeople, and while they are great at showing off products, adding further interaction and engagement to the shopping experience can be a fantastic way to capture a shopper’s interest.
Draw inspiration from your customers, consider using technology, and pay attention to essentials such as your store layout when choosing your next mannequin.
If you have any questions about our mannequins or any of our products, please get in touch. We are always happy to assist you in any way we can.