Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2017	Jan. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ 5,134	$ 2,880
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	39,057	39,350
Amortization of deferred financing costs	488	325
Impairment loss (non-cash)	0	11,987
Deferred taxes	(7,156)	(1,902)
Stock-based compensation expense	7,227	4,817
Change in other long-term liabilities	815	449
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net	99,437	64,189
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	145,002	122,095
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(26,488)	(37,663)
Payments to Acquire Businesses	(917)	0
Net increase in other noncurrent assets	(6,246)	(2,115)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(33,651)	(39,778)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net changes in Barnes & Noble, Inc. Investment	0	(6,423)
Proceeds from borrowings on Credit Facility	116,100	60,600
Repayments of borrowings on Credit Facility	(116,100)	(60,600)
Payment of deferred financing costs	0	3,251
Purchase of treasury shares	(7,858)	(9,297)
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(7,858)	(18,971)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	103,493	63,346
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	28,568	44,816
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	132,061	108,162
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net:
Receivables, net	(127,369)	(106,582)
Merchandise inventories	(181,285)	(245,064)
Textbook rental inventories	(19,612)	(18,207)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(1,583)	(1,875)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	429,286	435,917
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net	$ 99,437	$ 64,189