 Despite the initial success of the Frequent Buyers program and the new store format, annual sales dropped almost $10 million from 1991 to 1992.In March 1991, Crowley, Milner & Co. announced it was seeking a merger partner that was large enough to help the company expand.It was management's opinion that long-term growth for the Crowley's chain would come through acquisition of some type, with the most likely scenario being an acquisition by another party.