Research Methodology

Institutional-grade data collection, validation, and analysis standards that power Switzerland's most trusted retail intelligence platform.

What are Deep Dives?

Deep Dives are comprehensive property-level analyses of Switzerland's most valuable high-street retail corridors. Unlike traditional market reports that focus on aggregate statistics, our Deep Dives provide granular, asset-by-asset intelligence covering ownership structures, tenant histories, valuation trends, and market dynamics.

Each Deep Dive represents months of primary research, combining on-the-ground fieldwork, public records analysis, industry interviews, and proprietary valuation models. The result is an institutional-grade dataset that enables investors, family offices, and advisors to make informed decisions about portfolio allocation, acquisition targets, and market positioning.

Our Research Process

1. Primary Data Collection

Our research team conducts systematic on-site surveys of every property along target high-streets. We document tenant occupancy, storefront characteristics, property boundaries, and observable market activity. This fieldwork is supplemented by photographic documentation and GPS-tagged mapping data.

2. Public Records Analysis

We extract ownership data from Swiss land registries (Grundbuch), commercial registers, and transaction databases. Historical ownership changes are tracked to identify institutional investors, family offices, and corporate landlords. Property valuations are cross-referenced with recent transaction comparables and assessed values.

3. Tenant & Brand Tracking

We maintain a longitudinal database of tenant changes dating back to 2012. Brand entries, exits, relocations, and expansions are documented with precise dates. Tenant categorization (Luxury, Premium, Fast Fashion, etc.) follows industry-standard classifications and is validated against parent company structures.

4. Valuation Modeling

Property valuations are estimated using a combination of comparable transaction analysis, income capitalization models, and market rent benchmarks. We apply location-specific cap rates and adjust for property-specific factors such as tenant quality, lease terms, and physical condition. Valuation ranges reflect market uncertainty and data availability.

5. Quality Assurance & Validation

All data points undergo multi-stage validation. Ownership records are cross-checked against multiple sources. Tenant information is verified through brand websites, social media, and industry contacts. Valuation estimates are peer-reviewed by independent real estate professionals. Any discrepancies trigger additional research cycles.

6. Continuous Updates

Our database is updated quarterly through systematic re-surveys and transaction monitoring. Major tenant changes, ownership transfers, and valuation shifts are captured in real-time. Subscribers receive notifications of material changes affecting properties in their portfolios or target markets.

Data Standards & Accuracy

Ownership Accuracy: 95%+ verified through official land registry records. Unverified ownership is clearly flagged.

Tenant Accuracy: 98%+ current occupancy verified through on-site surveys within 90 days of publication.

Valuation Confidence: Ranges reflect 80% confidence intervals based on comparable transaction analysis and expert appraisal.

Historical Data: Tenant histories validated against archived records, brand announcements, and industry sources dating back to 2012.

Update Frequency: Quarterly re-surveys for active markets; annual updates for stable corridors; real-time alerts for major transactions.

How Our Data is Used

Institutional Investors

  • Portfolio valuation and benchmarking
  • Acquisition target identification
  • Tenant credit risk assessment
  • Market positioning analysis

Retailers & Brands

  • Site selection and expansion planning
  • Competitive landscape mapping
  • Rent benchmarking and negotiation
  • Market entry feasibility studies

Family Offices

  • High-street asset evaluation
  • Ownership structure research
  • Long-term value trend analysis
  • Peer portfolio comparison

Brokers & Advisors

  • Client advisory and reporting
  • Pitch deck preparation
  • Market intelligence updates
  • Transaction comparables

Case Studies

Real-world examples of our research methodology in action

Zürich Bahnhofstrasse Deep Dive

Switzerland's most valuable retail corridor analyzed at property level

86
Properties Analyzed
23.28 Bn
Total Value (USD, 2025)
134
Active Stores
60
Tenant Changes (2012-2025)

Our Bahnhofstrasse Deep Dive demonstrates the full depth of our property-level research methodology. For each of the 86 properties along Zürich's premier shopping street, we documented:

  • Ownership Structure: Current owner (2025) and historical owner (2012), including institutional investors like UBS Asset Management, Swiss Life, ZKB, and family offices
  • Tenant History: Complete tenant timeline from 2012 to 2025, tracking brand entries, exits, and relocations
  • Valuation Analysis: Property value estimates with ranges (e.g., "95-130 M", "650-970 M") based on transaction comparables and income capitalization
  • Market Rent: Annual rent estimates by property (e.g., "< 1 M", "5-15 M") reflecting location quality and tenant mix
  • Luxury Group Analysis: Market share evolution of the "Big 7" luxury groups (LVMH, Richemont, Swatch, Kering, Hermès, Rolex, Prada) from 2012 to 2025
View Full Bahnhofstrasse Analysis

Swiss Retail Report 2026

Comprehensive market-wide intelligence across Switzerland's retail landscape

220+
Stores Tracked
18
Swiss Cities Covered
12
Brand Categories
2006
Tracking Since

The Swiss Retail Report showcases our market-wide research capabilities, providing a comprehensive overview of Switzerland's retail landscape. This annual publication includes:

  • Store Database: 220+ stores across 18 Swiss cities (Zürich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Lausanne, Lugano, Lucerne, St. Gallen, Winterthur, and alpine luxury destinations)
  • Brand Categorization: Systematic classification into Luxury, Premium, Fast Fashion, Sportswear, and other segments
  • City Profiles: Detailed market analysis for each city including prime retail corridors, tenant mix, and market dynamics
  • Opening & Closing Tracking: Complete record of new store openings, relocations, and closures with dates and addresses
  • Interactive Filters: Search by city, brand, category, and destination to identify market trends and expansion patterns
Explore Swiss Retail Report

Questions About Our Methodology?

We're happy to discuss our research process, data sources, and quality assurance standards in detail.

The Prime Location Group

Löwenstrasse 43, CH-8001 Zürich

Tel. +41 44 225 95 00

www.location.ch