what is forward integration 
forward integration is a business strategy that involves a form of downstream vertical integration whereby the company owns and controls business activities that are ahead in the value chain of its industry this might include among others direct distribution or supply of the company s products this type of vertical integration is conducted by a company advancing along the supply chain a good example of forward integration would be a farmer who directly sells his crops at a local grocery store rather than to a distribution center that controls the placement of foodstuffs to various supermarkets or a clothing label that opens up its own boutiques selling its designs directly to customers instead of or in addition to selling them through department stores 