Low pressure misting systems are crucial in the Large-Scale Retail (LSR) sector.

Fresh products are indeed a necessary element for building consumer loyalty towards a supermarket or a retail store. Loyalty is mainly built through the quality of products, such as freshness, shelf life, and the overall experience the customer undergoes. The presence of high-quality fresh products can lead customers to make regular purchases at a supermarket, as they are assured of finding the products they are looking for and that meet their expectations. All this translates into an increased frequency of purchases at the point of sale, contributing to establishing a long-term relationship with customers.

Furthermore, the validity of food freshness means an increase in overall turnover, as customers not only buy fresh products but also other types of products while inside the store.

In this process, Natural Misting is a key partner for many leading entities in the Italian Large-Scale Retail (LSR) sector. Among its prominent collaborations are well-known names in the Italian LSR landscape, including Conad, Il Gigante, Pam, Tosano, Piccolo, Coop, Eurospin, Eataly, Cadoro, and others.
These partnerships testify to the wide-reaching influence of Natural Misting in the Italian food distribution sector.

In this article, we will explore how low pressure misting helps LSR and, in general, what its advantages are.

Low pressure misting systems: what are them

Low pressure misting is a process that involves creating a fine mist of water micro-droplets, often with the help of advanced dispensing systems. This mist is characterized by very small water particles, with diameters of about 25 microns, making it extremely light and easily dispersible.

Water, pressurized at very low levels (around 8/10 bar of pressure), is transformed into micro-droplets through specific nozzles. These droplets are then dispersed into the environment, creating a fine mist that envelops objects without wetting them. The goal is to maintain controlled humidity and create an ideal microclimate for the preservation of various materials, especially fresh food.

In particular, low pressure misting is applied to fish or fruit and vegetable counters and gradually descends to cool the product using gravity. It finds multiple other applications in industrial and energy containment sectors.

Low pressure misting: advantages

Reduction of food waste

Low pressure misting creates an optimal environment for the preservation of fruit, vegetables, and fish products. Fine water sprays, dispensed at adjustable intervals, form a mist that maintains moisture without wetting the products, prolonging their freshness and reducing waste related to premature degradation.

Preservation in fruit and fish departments

Fruit and fish departments are often subject to rapid product deterioration. Low pressure misting helps maintain the ideal temperature and humidity, ensuring an environment that delays the degradation process and preserves the quality of the displayed products.

Minimization of losses of perishable products

The use of low pressure misting helps maintain a controlled environment in departments, reducing losses of damaged or perishable products. This results in lower economic costs for supermarket operators.

Reduction of unpleasant odors

In stores, numerous foods are subject to deterioration and, if neglected, can generate unpleasant odors that compromise the customer experience. Low pressure misting, by slowing down the perishability of foods, contributes to keeping the environment free of unpleasant odors. This practice undoubtedly improves the customer experience, encouraging the return of consumers to the same store.

Reduction of waste

One of the main benefits of using low pressure misting in LSR is the drastic reduction of food waste. Currently, about 45% of cultivated, raised, or caught products end up in the trash.

Through the use of advanced misting and humidification systems, it is possible to reduce the volume of wasted food in supermarkets by up to 25%. By maintaining optimal product storage, their sale can occur before they become unusable. The constant storage temperature extends the shelf life of products, allowing a greater number of customers to make purchases. This results in increased sales, a decrease in unsold goods, and consequently, a significant reduction in food waste, with a positive impact on the environment.

Competitive differentiation

The adoption of innovative technologies like low pressure misting can give supermarkets a competitive advantage. Differentiation based on the quality and freshness of products can attract a more discerning and aware clientele.

Food safety

Among the underestimated advantages of low pressure misting is food safety. misting helps ensure more suitable storage temperatures, thus preventing the development of harmful bacteria or pathogens for food and human health. In the context of LSR, where compliance with hygiene and health standards is essential, misting emerges as an ideal solution. This reassures customers, aware that they are purchasing fresh and healthy products.

Applications of low pressure misting in LSR

In the LSR sector, low pressure misting can have various applications.

Low pressure misting: fruit and vegetable sector

The use of low pressure misting helps keep food fresh and is, therefore, a great ally of the fruit and vegetable sector. In this field, misting not only keeps the internal moisture of foods stable but also reduces the ambient temperature, extracting heat from the air and cooling products like fruit and vegetables.

Thanks to this, products stay fresh longer, reducing waste. misting acts by reducing the weight loss of the product, avoiding dehydration, and ensuring the normal ripening process of fruit and vegetables. It also helps decrease unpleasant odors.

Low pressure misting: fish sector

In the fish sector, low pressure misting helps maintain moisture in fish counters or refrigerated cells.

Fish products, which consist of about 70% water, can easily lose freshness and deteriorate. Thanks to misting, it is possible to recover up to 10% of the natural weight of fish products.

The misting system generates a fine and enveloping mist capable of refreshing products, stopping the dehydration process, and maintaining the moisture content. It guarantees the high quality of the product.

Positive impact on customer satisfaction

Using low pressure misting technology can lead to customer satisfaction, especially for the following reasons:

• Improved shopping experience: The use of misting creates a fresh and pleasant atmosphere in departments, enhancing the shopping experience for customers. The visible freshness of the products stimulates appetite and encourages purchases, increasing customer engagement and interest.
• More appealing products: Thanks to optimal preservation provided by misting, displayed products always appear fresh and inviting. This positively influences the supermarket’s image and customers’ perception of quality.

What factors to consider in choosing a low pressure misting system

When choosing a low pressure misting technology, it is essential to consider: the dimensions of the environment that allow the installation of the system, noise level, system compactness, power, mode and frequency of use, the volume of water to be nebulized, and the arrangement of nozzles.

For this reason, it is always recommended to consult professionals. Natural Misting studies customized solutions for your needs.

Contact us for more information; with our expertise, we can advise you best on the choice to make.