Part of Toys R' Us' Failure? Amazon Plays the Long Game

Among today's frenzy around Toys R' Us...and we're specifically referring to Bloomberg, Debtwire, Reorg Research, and others tripping over each other to be the first to "break" news...there was THIS far more meaningful contribution to the discussion. Choice quote: "The companies agreed that Toys R Us would give up its online autonomy, with ToysRUs.com redirecting back to Amazon." This passage is referring to a deal struck between Toys and Amazon back in 1999. Yes, 18 years ago. We repeat: Amazon initiated the eventual destruction of Toys R Us 18 YEARS AGO. Private Equity merely helped accelerate it. Now THAT is what you call the long game. Respekt.