Mannequins play a key role in retail visual merchandising. They allow retailers to showcase their product in way to which shoppers can relate. Rather than hanging a shirt on a rolling rack, for instance, a store owner can place it on a mannequin. Shoppers will notice the shirt being displayed, seeing exactly how it looks on the human form.

A.  ILLUMINATE THEM

Placing your mannequins in a dark, poorly-lit section of your store isn't going to work. Sure, some shoppers may still see them, but the majority will walk right by without taking notice. A better solution is to set up your mannequin displays directly under a large fixture, such as track lighting. With a greater amount of lighting beaming down on your mannequins, more shoppers will see them; thus, resulting in more sales.

Note: if you don't have a well-lit area for your mannequins, consider installing an additional light fixture. New light fixtures are relatively cheap and will make a world of difference in the effectiveness of your store's mannequins.

B.  KEEP THEM CLEAN

We've talked about this before on our blog, but it's worth mentioning again that you should get into the habit of cleaning your mannequin on a regular basis. No matter how hard you try to prevent it, your mannequins will inevitably gather dust and dirt over time, leaving them dingy and dirty looking.

You can clean your mannequins, however, by wiping them down with a damp washcloth. After stripping down your mannequin, use a damp washcloth to gently wipe the surface. If you come across any stubborn stains, try placing a small amount of baking soda on the washcloth. This should make easy work of event the toughest stains.

C. ACCESSORIZE THEM

If you aren't accessorizing your store's mannequins, you are missing out on one of the easiest ways to improve their appearance. Don't be afraid to add accessories like earrings, necklaces, handbags, hats, hair bows and gloves to your mannequins. Accessorizes such as this may seem insignificant, but they play a key role in the overall appearance of your mannequins.