The Swatch Group, the Swiss manufacturer of watches and jewellery, on Monday reported that net sales at current exchange rates declined 14.3% in the first half of 2024 compared to same period a year ago. Net sales came in at 3.4 billion Swiss francs ($3.8 billion) in the January through June period. Swatch, the maker of Omega, Tissot and Blancpain watches, attributed the decline primarily due to drop in demand for luxury goods in China, including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Operating results declined to 204 million francs from 686 million francs a year ago. Net r…