Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 02, 2020 USD ($)	Apr. 27, 2019 USD ($)	Apr. 28, 2018 USD ($)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	$ (16,103)	$ 120,817	$ 60,042
Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities	6,796	8,589	8,035
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	(38,250)	(24,374)	(252,566)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	61,860	65,865	65,586
Content amortization expenses	4,082	1,096	0
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,095	1,550	1,502
Impairment loss (non-cash)	433	57,748	313,130
Deferred taxes	(5,380)	(4,531)	(14,765)
Stock-based compensation expense	6,638	9,017	8,459
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Liabilities	18,399	0	0
Changes in other long-term liabilities	(6,480)	(6,314)	(36,823)
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net	(58,500)	20,760	(24,481)
Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets	(6,600)	(1,774)	(1,036)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	(29,592)	(54,646)	(100,032)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(36,192)	(46,420)	(42,809)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired	0	(10,000)	(58,259)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings on Credit Facility	600,900	521,200	674,500
Repayments of borrowings on Credit Facility	(559,700)	(584,100)	(637,700)
Payments of deferred financing costs	0	(3,395)	0
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	(1,265)	(1,977)	(1,638)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	39,935	(68,272)	35,162
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect	(5,760)	(2,101)	(4,828)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,008	14,768	16,869
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net:
Receivables, net	7,320	1,814	(13,670)
Merchandise inventories	(8,617)	23,237	(9,495)
Textbook rental inventories	6,291	778	5,047
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(4,399)	69	(2,648)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(59,095)	(5,138)	(3,715)
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net	(58,500)	20,760	(24,481)
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Income taxes paid (net of refunds)	$ (4,141)	$ 10,277	$ 25,549