How Much Does a Mannequin Cost?

Part of creating great visual merchandising for your retail store is displaying mannequins effectively and in an appealing way. Mannequins are a big part of retail stores, as they help to grab a customer’s attention. Mannequins paint a picture, and they can help one imagine how it would look and feel to wear the store’s clothes. Plus, they also create a pleasing atmosphere. Hence, one of the important questions is, how much does a mannequin cost?  

Learn the basics about the cost of mannequins and make your storefront and in-store displays more successful and profitable than ever.

Mannequin Prices: How Much Does a Used Mannequin Cost?

Because owning a shop is expensive in general and mannequins themselves are an expensive necessity, it isn’t unreasonable to try to cut costs whenever possible. One way to do that is by buying a used mannequin that is in decent condition.

Brand new mannequins are much pricier than used ones; why?

New mannequins from quality sellers are often made of a more durable, quality material such as fiberglass and are actually molded after particular human figures. Brand name full-priced mannequins are molded by artisans and sculptors. They are like pieces of art. These stronger mannequins are certainly worth the money, but it is completely reasonable to want to save money on a mannequin that is not brand new, too.

Mannequins from quality sellers also have higher quality base materials. You don't want your mannequin falling over a week after you get it, do you? The higher price point goes into the higher quality of metal used for the base. 

In contrast, more inexpensive mannequins aren’t full price because they are made with fewer layers of fiberglass. This makes them less durable and slightly more likely to break when dropped during dressing or, for example, when bumped by a customer.

Non-brand name mannequins or refurbished mannequins may have plastic fittings, which are less durable but can do the trick just fine if you don't need to display the mannequin for a long time.

Bottom line, no matter how much money you’re trying to save, make sure to check out your mannequin before you purchase. Check for tight, durable fittings and strong fiberglass before you buy or read reviews to make sure that you are buying from a reputable seller. 

Budgeting for Your Mannequin Price

A mannequin price can range anywhere from $200 to upwards of $1000. The price depends largely on the material used to make them, but also on the realism of its construction. Cheaper versions will look stiff, perhaps posed in unnatural looking positions, and tend to look...cheap. You get what you pay for and that is the truth when it comes to mannequins. If this is your business, you want to make sure that you are representing your business effectively. 

The only reason to not save money on a used mannequin or lower-quality mannequin is if there are visible chips, breaks or scratches. This would clearly lower the quality and reputation of your store if your display was visibly purchased secondhand.

If a used mannequin looks like new, then why not save some cash and spend more on your display itself?

Find yourself a reputable mannequin distributor, and you’ll never worry if your used or new, brand name or not brand name, mannequin is the right quality for your store. However, it’s more important to ask, how much does a mannequin cost?

Mannequin Mall Prices and Policies

Something is happening in the world of mall mannequins. People are starting to take notice of the way the fashion industry is portraying women. While all women — and men — come in many shapes and sizes, mannequins and advertisements rarely display humans that way.

Instead, mannequins and advertisements portray unrealistically thin women, often with ribs or hip bones showing. It seems that to the fashion industry, over the past few decades, there is only one kind of women’s body type that is considered to be beautiful.

Why would anyone who sells clothes to women want women to not feel beautiful or shaped appropriately for their clothes?

Luckily, there is a revolution occurring in women and men’s fashion. Now, more than ever, mannequins come in different sizes — curvy, big-bottomed, super-tall, handicapped, big-breasted or very small — there is a mannequin for every body size now.

It is important to take notice of this movement as you are shopping for mannequins for your own store.

Buy your Best Mannequin

Finding the best mannequin for your store is as important as styling the displays. There are a few things to ask yourself and a few ways to make sure that your mannequins are both perfect and affordable for your storefront and in-store displays. Ask yourself:

• How much money do I have to spend on my mannequins? If you have the income to afford more expensive mannequins, why not spring for the more realistic ones? Otherwise, there are plenty of used brand name or non-brand-name mannequins that are just fine.
• Who are you trying to appeal to? If you want to appeal to children, women of a certain body type or larger men, opt for these types of mannequins. If you are trying to fit all body types or ages, get one of each mannequin!
• What kind of style is your boutique/store? There are mannequins in dramatic poses, in athletic positions and even body forms that don’t have heads, perfect for focusing on the clothing. Consider your brand and choose mannequins that match that brand.
• How often will you be changing your mannequin? Buy a more durable and higher-quality mannequin if you tend to change the clothing on your mannequin often — normal wear-and-tear will break down your mannequin faster otherwise.

No matter what kind of store you run or manage, having the right kind of mannequin is equally as important as your merchandise and styling. Hopefully, these tips and tricks will help you choose exactly the right mannequins for your store and point you in the right direction to grow your profits and increase your brand’s reputation.

How much does a mannequin cost? Well, that is just the tip of the iceberg; there is so much to learn and an ever-changing landscape of mannequin styling and purchasing.

Stay tuned to learn everything developing as it happens.