How do exclusivity and permitted use clauses affect my business?

Exclusivity and permitted use clauses are two sides of the same coin.  Exclusivity clauses help your business by preventing your landlord from leasing spaces in the shopping center to competing businesses, but permitted use clauses may keep your business from expanding. When negotiating an exclusivity clause, you should aim for the broadest protection the landlord will allow. Conversely, if your landlord insists on a permitted use clause, make sure it does not cut off a valuable avenue of growth or expansion for your business.