Schedule of Operations for Discontinued Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 30, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 31,403	$ (39,146)	$ 18,951
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sales	521,019	238,983	1,498,389
Cost of sales and occupancy	398,766	186,697	1,153,890
Gross profit	122,253	52,286	344,499
Selling and administrative expenses	91,231	94,933	264,792
Depreciation and amortization	12,583	13,100	37,635
Operating profit (loss) from discontinued operations	18,439	(55,747)	42,072
Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred financing fees	30	3	49
Income (loss) before taxes from discontinued operations	18,409	(55,750)	42,023
Income taxes	(14,782)	(16,604)	21,897
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 33,191	$ (39,146)	$ 20,126