Location Group Research: Zurich Retail Rents are No. 1 in Europe

The Most Popular Retail Locations are in Switzerland

ZURICH, October 21, 2010 - At 10,000 Swiss Francs (7,500 Euro) per square meter, Zurich's
Bahnhofstrasse is currently the most expensive place to rent in Europe and
number 3 worldwide, after New York and Hong Kong. This is shown by the latest
survey by the Location Group. Zurich is therefore the winner in the current
retail rent index of all EU Member States. Before now, with respect to new
leases Zurich regularly landed behind the Champs-Elysees in Paris and Bond
Street in London on the list of most expensive retail locations. At the
current Euro exchange rate, one must expect to pay rent of 9,790 Francs at
the best business locations in London, as a study by Cushman & Wakefield
shows. London is closely followed by Paris, where purchasing power is
somewhat lower, and so monthly rents of 9,330 Francs (7,369 Euros) are asked.
Zurich has been catapulted to the top by the current exchange rate.

Luxury brands are attracted to Switzerland because of the world's highest
purchasing power. Geneva still benefits from its internationality and Zurich
enjoys the image of the city with the highest quality of life in Europe. In
the coming months, in Zurich we expect new business from abroad who have
already secured their top sites," says Marc-Christian Riebe, CEO, Location
Group, Zurich.

Geneva is catching up with prime rents for retail space with 7,400 Swiss
Francs (5,564 Euros) per square meter per year. The high concentration of
luxury goods in the border city is influenced by its visitors. Rich tourists
and businessmen from the Middle East bring high profits to the luxury goods
industry.

    Contact:
    Marc-Christian Riebe
    CEO Location Group
    Tel: +41-44-225-95-00
    E-Mail: mcr@location.ch
    Internet: www.location.ch

Contact: Marc-Christian Riebe, CEO Location Group, Tel: +41-44-225-95-00, E-Mail: mcr at location.ch