Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2016	Aug. 01, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (27,916)	$ (26,918)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	12,921	13,100
Amortization of long-term debt deferred financing costs	163	0
Deferred taxes	5,772	8,039
Stock-based compensation expense	1,890	953
Change in other long-term liabilities	(404)	67
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net	(17,628)	14,314
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	(25,202)	9,555
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(6,183)	(11,763)
Payments to Acquire Businesses	(975)	0
Net increase in other noncurrent assets	(5,690)	(4,853)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(12,848)	(16,616)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net changes in Barnes & Noble, Inc. Investment	0	(28,868)
Proceeds from borrowings on Credit Facility	25,900	0
Repayments of borrowings on Credit Facility	(900)	0
Purchase of treasury shares	(6,606)	0
Net cash flows used in financing activities	18,394	(28,868)
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(6)	0
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(19,662)	(35,929)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	28,568	44,816
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	8,906	8,887
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net:
Receivables, net	12,566	41,090
Merchandise inventories	(411,585)	(469,343)
Textbook rental inventories	40,233	39,910
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(2,062)	(2,998)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	343,220	405,655
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net	$ (17,628)	$ 14,314