I know that a lot of companies seek a competitor’s analysis by using a market research firm. A market research firm can conduct independent studies targeting the competitors business in order to determine which aspects are better and which are worse.
For example, a Mercedes Benz dealership might order a competitive analysis of other luxury dealerships like BMW and Audi. They might have the market research company either perform a focus group targeting this target market in order to ask them about their feelings regarding BMW, Audi, and Mercedes.
They may also conduct mystery shopping analysis by sending the same shopper covertly into each dealership in order to differentiate between the service levels.
Market competitors like this often perform these studies in order to improve their service to their customers. Companies like Informa Research and Martiz often conduct these types of studies.