Summarized Financial Information Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Jul. 28, 2018		Jul. 29, 2017		Apr. 28, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		$ 794,776		$ 853,316
Depreciation and amortization		23,885		26,398
Operating loss		(16,201)		(15,212)
Capital Expenditures		13,604		20,705
Total Assets		1,738,565	[1]	1,935,358	[1]	$ 1,749,568
B&N Retail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	[1]	1,713,984		1,905,471
Nook
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	[1]	24,581		29,887
Operating Segments | B&N Retail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		775,718		830,036
Depreciation and amortization		21,278		23,079
Operating loss		(15,868)		(12,510)
Capital Expenditures		12,230		18,899
Operating Segments | Nook
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		25,270		29,500
Depreciation and amortization		2,607		3,319
Operating loss		(333)		(2,702)
Capital Expenditures		1,374		1,806
Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	[2]	$ (6,212)		$ (6,220)

[1] (b) Excludes intercompany balances.

[2] (a) Represents sales from NOOK to B&N Retail on a sell-through basis.