Case Study: Mannequin Madness achieves 80% online sales and streamlined POS & inventory with Shopify

Mannequin Madness - Customer Case Study

Mannequin Madness, an Oakland-based retailer, began when the founder bought 50 mannequins from a Craigslist seller and turned a side rental gig into a full-time business after 9/11. Growth accelerated when retail chains’ remodels and store closings allowed the company to recycle used mannequins, quickly expanding inventory from dozens to hundreds. The main challenge was scaling from a local rental business to a national and international e-commerce operation while managing inventory, fulfillment and profitability.

The company prioritized online sales, built an e-commerce store on Shopify (using Shopify POS for local sales), and supplemented recycled stock with dropshipped new mannequins. Tools like Yotpo for reviews, QuickBooks integration, FourSixty for Instagram, and digital downloads improved customer confidence and back‑office efficiency. As a result, about 80% of sales now come through the website, international orders expanded the market, inventory sync and bookkeeping time were reduced, and a closer look at COGS improved margins and profitability.

Mannequin Madness