CNA (bookstore)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1896 in Johannesburg, South African Republic |
| Founder | Michael Davis, Albert Lindbergh |
| Headquarters | Johannesburg , South Africa |
| Products | Books, stationery, newspapers |
Central News Agency, also referred to as Consolidated News Agencies and widely known by the acronym CNA, is a South African retail network that focuses on books and stationery products.
History
Established in 1896 in Johannesburg by Michael Davis and Albert Lindbergh, CNA began by distributing newspapers such as The Star, The Standard, and Diggers News through delivery personnel using bicycles and on foot. A significant development occurred in 1902 when CNA obtained contracts to publish prominent newspapers including The Argus and Cape Times. By 1904, the company had extended its reach throughout South Africa, benefiting from heightened newspaper demand during the First World War. CNA was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1903, successfully raising £120,000 (which is roughly equivalent to £129.5 million in 2017).
By 1928, CNA was responsible for publishing the majority of newspapers within South Africa and expanded its operations into Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe) after World War II. In 1983, CNA merged with Gallo Africa, creating CNA Gallo. The acquisition of Nu Metro Cinemas began in 1990, with full ownership achieved by 1992. By 1995, the company managed 350 outlets across South Africa before being purchased by Wooltru for R500 million.
During the late 1990s, CNA encountered difficulties due to a challenging market for stationery and books coupled with internal organizational changes. These challenges resulted in financial pressure that culminated in the sale of its remaining 130 stores to Edcon in 2002 for R130 million.