Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Oct. 28, 2017
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Our condensed consolidated financial statements reflect our condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly its consolidated financial position and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods reported. These condensed consolidated financial statements are condensed and therefore do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP. The condensed consolidated financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis for the 13 and 26 weeks ended October 28, 2017 and include the financial results of MBS (which was acquired on February 27, 2017) and Student Brands (which was acquired on August 3, 2017). All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The condensed consolidated financial statements for the 13 and 26 weeks ended October 29, 2016 exclude the financial results of MBS and Student Brands. Our fiscal year is comprised of 52 or 53 weeks, ending on the Saturday closest to the last day of April. Our retail business (BNC and MBS Direct) sales are generally highest in the second and third fiscal quarters, when college students generally purchase textbooks for the upcoming semesters, and lowest in the first and fourth fiscal quarters. Sales attributable to the MBS wholesale business are generally highest in our first, second and third quarter as it sells textbooks for retail distribution, which somewhat offsets the decreased first quarter sales attributable to our retail business. MBS has significantly lower operating profit or operating loss realized during the fourth quarter. Due to the seasonal nature of the business, the results of operations for the 13 and 26 weeks ended October 28, 2017 are not indicative of the results expected for the 52 weeks ending April 28, 2018 (Fiscal 2018).
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates In preparing financial statements in conformity with GAAP, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Merchandise Inventories	Merchandise Inventories Merchandise inventories, which consist of finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost or market. Market value of our inventory, which is all purchased finished goods, is determined based on its estimated net realizable value, which is generally the selling price less normally predictable costs of disposal and transportation. Reserves for non-returnable inventory are based on our history of liquidating non-returnable inventory. Cost is determined primarily by the retail inventory method for our BNC segment and last-in first out, or “LIFO”, method for our MBS segment. Our textbook inventories, for BNC and MBS, and trade book inventories are valued using the LIFO method and the related reserve was not material to the recorded amount of our inventories. For our BNC segment, we also estimate and accrue shortage for the period between the last physical count of inventory and the balance sheet date. Shortage rates are estimated and accrued based on historical rates and can be affected by changes in merchandise mix and changes in actual shortage trends.
Textbook Rentals Inventories	Textbook Rental Inventories Physical textbooks out on rent are categorized as textbook rental inventories. At the time a rental transaction is consummated, the book is removed from merchandise inventories and moved to textbook rental inventories at cost. The cost of the book is amortized down to its estimated residual value over the rental period. The related amortization expense is included in cost of goods sold. At the end of the rental period, upon return, the book is removed from textbook rental inventories and recorded in merchandise inventories at its amortized cost.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue Revenue from sales of our products at physical locations is recognized at the time of sale. Revenue from sales of products ordered through our websites is recognized upon receipt of our products by our customers. Revenue from the sale of physical textbooks from our wholesale and virtual bookstores is recognized at the time of shipment. Additional revenue is recognized for shipping charges billed to customers. We rent both physical and digital textbooks. Revenue from the rental of physical textbooks is deferred and recognized over the rental period commencing at point of sale. We offer a buyout option to allow the purchase of a rented physical textbook at the end of the rental period. We record the buyout purchase when the customer exercises and pays the buyout option price. In these instances, we would accelerate any remaining deferred rental revenue at the point of sale. Revenue from the rental of digital textbooks is recognized at the time of sale. A software feature is embedded within the content of our digital textbooks, such that upon expiration of the rental term the customer is no longer able to access the content. While the digital rental allows the customer to access digital content for a fixed period of time, once the digital content is delivered to the customer, our performance obligation is complete. We primarily record digital textbook rental sales on a net basis in accordance with ASC 605-45-45, Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent. We provide direct-to-student subscription-based writing services. Subscription revenue is deferred and recognized over the service period. The majority of subscriptions sold are one month in duration. Sales taxes collected from our customers are excluded from reported revenues. All of our sales are recognized as revenue on a “net” basis, including sales in connection with any periodic promotions offered to customers. We do not treat any promotional offers as expenses.
Cost of Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cost of Sales Our cost of sales primarily include costs such as merchandise costs, textbook rental amortization, warehouse costs related to inventory management and order fulfillment, certain payroll costs, and management service agreement costs, including rent expense, related to our college and university contracts and other facility related expenses.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Selling and Administrative Expenses Our selling and administrative expenses consist primarily of store payroll and store operating expenses. Selling and administrative expenses also include stock-based compensation and general office expenses, such as executive oversight, merchandising, field support, finance, human resources, benefits, training, legal, and information technology, as well as our investments in our digital platform and subscription-based services.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill The costs in excess of net assets of businesses acquired are carried as goodwill in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of October 28, 2017, we had $362,412 of goodwill. ASC No. 350-30, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets ("ASC 350-30"), requires that goodwill be tested for impairment at least annually or earlier if there are impairment indicators. We completed our annual goodwill impairment test as of the first day of the third quarter of Fiscal 2017. In performing the valuation, we used cash flows that reflected management’s forecasts and discount rates that included risk adjustments consistent with the current market conditions. Based on the results of the Step 1 testing, fair value of the one reporting unit exceeded its carrying value; therefore, the second step of the impairment test was not required to be performed and no goodwill impairment was recognized. As of the date of our Fiscal 2017 annual goodwill impairment test, the excess fair value over carrying value was approximately 5%. Goodwill is subject to further risk of impairment if comparable store sales decline, store closings accelerate or digital projections fall short of expectations. Additionally, changes in the structure of our business as a result of future reorganizations, acquisitions or divestitures of assets or businesses could result in future impairments of goodwill. For additional information related to key assumptions used in our testing, refer to Part II - Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 29, 2017.
Share Repurchase [Policy Text Block]	Share Repurchases On December 14, 2015, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $50,000, in the aggregate, of our outstanding Common Stock. The stock repurchase program is carried out at the direction of management (which may include a plan under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). The stock repurchase program may be suspended, terminated, or modified at any time. Any repurchased shares will be held as treasury stock and will be available for general corporate purposes.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments	In accordance with ASC No. 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, the fair value of an asset is considered to be the price at which the asset could be sold in an orderly transaction between unrelated knowledgeable and willing parties. A liability’s fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a new obligor, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are measured using a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices in active markets Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable Level 3—Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring us to develop our own assumptions Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accrued liabilities and accounts payable. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accrued liabilities and accounts payable approximates their carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments, which are all considered Level 1. The fair value of short-term and long-term debt approximates its carrying value.
Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share	Earnings Per Share Basic EPS is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year. Diluted EPS is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year plus the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents using the treasury stock method and the average market price of our common stock for the year. We include participating securities (unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents) in the computation of EPS pursuant to the two-class method. Our participating securities consist solely of unvested restricted stock awards, which have contractual participation rights equivalent to those of stockholders of unrestricted common stock. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an allocation method that calculates earnings per share for common stock and participating securities. During periods of net loss, no effect is given to the participating securities because they do not share in the losses of the Company.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	We recognize compensation expense for awards ratably over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally three years. We recognize compensation expense based on the number of awards expected to vest using an estimated average forfeiture rate. We calculate the fair value of stock-based awards based on the closing price on the date the award was granted.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Oct. 28, 2017

Our condensed consolidated financial statements reflect our condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly its consolidated financial position and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods reported. These condensed consolidated financial statements are condensed and therefore do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP.

The condensed consolidated financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis for the 13 and 26 weeks ended October 28, 2017 and include the financial results of MBS (which was acquired on February 27, 2017) and Student Brands (which was acquired on August 3, 2017). All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The condensed consolidated financial statements for the 13 and 26 weeks ended October 29, 2016 exclude the financial results of MBS and Student Brands.

Our fiscal year is comprised of 52 or 53 weeks, ending on the Saturday closest to the last day of April. Our retail business (BNC and MBS Direct) sales are generally highest in the second and third fiscal quarters, when college students generally purchase textbooks for the upcoming semesters, and lowest in the first and fourth fiscal quarters. Sales attributable to the MBS wholesale business are generally highest in our first, second and third quarter as it sells textbooks for retail distribution, which somewhat offsets the decreased first quarter sales attributable to our retail business. MBS has significantly lower operating profit or operating loss realized during the fourth quarter. Due to the seasonal nature of the business, the results of operations for the 13 and 26 weeks ended October 28, 2017 are not indicative of the results expected for the 52 weeks ending April 28, 2018 (Fiscal 2018).

Use of Estimates

In preparing financial statements in conformity with GAAP, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Merchandise Inventories

Merchandise inventories, which consist of finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost or market. Market value of our inventory, which is all purchased finished goods, is determined based on its estimated net realizable value, which is generally the selling price less normally predictable costs of disposal and transportation. Reserves for non-returnable inventory are based on our history of liquidating non-returnable inventory.

Cost is determined primarily by the retail inventory method for our BNC segment and last-in first out, or “LIFO”, method for our MBS segment. Our textbook inventories, for BNC and MBS, and trade book inventories are valued using the LIFO method and the related reserve was not material to the recorded amount of our inventories.

For our BNC segment, we also estimate and accrue shortage for the period between the last physical count of inventory and the balance sheet date. Shortage rates are estimated and accrued based on historical rates and can be affected by changes in merchandise mix and changes in actual shortage trends.

Textbook Rentals Inventories

Textbook Rental Inventories

Physical textbooks out on rent are categorized as textbook rental inventories. At the time a rental transaction is consummated, the book is removed from merchandise inventories and moved to textbook rental inventories at cost. The cost of the book is amortized down to its estimated residual value over the rental period. The related amortization expense is included in cost of goods sold. At the end of the rental period, upon return, the book is removed from textbook rental inventories and recorded in merchandise inventories at its amortized cost.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

Revenue from sales of our products at physical locations is recognized at the time of sale. Revenue from sales of products ordered through our websites is recognized upon receipt of our products by our customers. Revenue from the sale of physical textbooks from our wholesale and virtual bookstores is recognized at the time of shipment. Additional revenue is recognized for shipping charges billed to customers.

We rent both physical and digital textbooks. Revenue from the rental of physical textbooks is deferred and recognized over the rental period commencing at point of sale. We offer a buyout option to allow the purchase of a rented physical textbook at the end of the rental period. We record the buyout purchase when the customer exercises and pays the buyout option price. In these instances, we would accelerate any remaining deferred rental revenue at the point of sale.

Revenue from the rental of digital textbooks is recognized at the time of sale. A software feature is embedded within the content of our digital textbooks, such that upon expiration of the rental term the customer is no longer able to access the content. While the digital rental allows the customer to access digital content for a fixed period of time, once the digital content is delivered to the customer, our performance obligation is complete. We primarily record digital textbook rental sales on a net basis in accordance with ASC 605-45-45, Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent.

We provide direct-to-student subscription-based writing services. Subscription revenue is deferred and recognized over the service period. The majority of subscriptions sold are one month in duration.

Sales taxes collected from our customers are excluded from reported revenues. All of our sales are recognized as revenue on a “net” basis, including sales in connection with any periodic promotions offered to customers. We do not treat any promotional offers as expenses.

Cost of Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cost of Sales

Our cost of sales primarily include costs such as merchandise costs, textbook rental amortization, warehouse costs related to inventory management and order fulfillment, certain payroll costs, and management service agreement costs, including rent expense, related to our college and university contracts and other facility related expenses.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Our selling and administrative expenses consist primarily of store payroll and store operating expenses. Selling and administrative expenses also include stock-based compensation and general office expenses, such as executive oversight, merchandising, field support, finance, human resources, benefits, training, legal, and information technology, as well as our investments in our digital platform and subscription-based services.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill

The costs in excess of net assets of businesses acquired are carried as goodwill in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of October 28, 2017, we had $362,412 of goodwill.

ASC No. 350-30, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets ("ASC 350-30"), requires that goodwill be tested for impairment at least annually or earlier if there are impairment indicators. We completed our annual goodwill impairment test as of the first day of the third quarter of Fiscal 2017. In performing the valuation, we used cash flows that reflected management’s forecasts and discount rates that included risk adjustments consistent with the current market conditions. Based on the results of the Step 1 testing, fair value of the one reporting unit exceeded its carrying value; therefore, the second step of the impairment test was not required to be performed and no goodwill impairment was recognized.

As of the date of our Fiscal 2017 annual goodwill impairment test, the excess fair value over carrying value was approximately 5%. Goodwill is subject to further risk of impairment if comparable store sales decline, store closings accelerate or digital projections fall short of expectations. Additionally, changes in the structure of our business as a result of future reorganizations, acquisitions or divestitures of assets or businesses could result in future impairments of goodwill. For additional information related to key assumptions used in our testing, refer to Part II - Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 29, 2017.

Share Repurchase [Policy Text Block]

Share Repurchases

On December 14, 2015, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $50,000, in the aggregate, of our outstanding Common Stock. The stock repurchase program is carried out at the direction of management (which may include a plan under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). The stock repurchase program may be suspended, terminated, or modified at any time. Any repurchased shares will be held as treasury stock and will be available for general corporate purposes.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

In accordance with ASC No. 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, the fair value of an asset is considered to be the price at which the asset could be sold in an orderly transaction between unrelated knowledgeable and willing parties. A liability’s fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a new obligor, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are measured using a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.

These tiers include:

Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices in active markets

Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable

Level 3—Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring us to develop our own assumptions

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accrued liabilities and accounts payable. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accrued liabilities and accounts payable approximates their carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments, which are all considered Level 1. The fair value of short-term and long-term debt approximates its carrying value.

Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Earnings Per Share

Basic EPS is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year. Diluted EPS is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year plus the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents using the treasury stock method and the average market price of our common stock for the year. We include participating securities (unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents) in the computation of EPS pursuant to the two-class method. Our participating securities consist solely of unvested restricted stock awards, which have contractual participation rights equivalent to those of stockholders of unrestricted common stock. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an allocation method that calculates earnings per share for common stock and participating securities. During periods of net loss, no effect is given to the participating securities because they do not share in the losses of the Company.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

We recognize compensation expense for awards ratably over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally three years. We recognize compensation expense based on the number of awards expected to vest using an estimated average forfeiture rate. We calculate the fair value of stock-based awards based on the closing price on the date the award was granted.