Groupe Royer, one of the largest trading companies in France in the footwear sector and a licensee for Airwalk, Converse, Sergio Tacchini and other international brands, is negotiating possible takeovers in Germany and in the Netherlands, but no details are available. The group posted sales of €130 million last year, with healthy undisclosed profits. Royer has appointed a new commercial director, Magalie Eyschelles, who previously held a similar position at the French subsidiary of Nike. Frederic André was recently appointed to the post of product manager and will be responsible for the Sergio Tacchini account. André came to Royer from Lacoste.