Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2012	Apr. 27, 2011
Current Assets:
Allowance for trade receivables	$ 10,680	$ 10,909
Allowance for other receivables	$ 607	$ 503
Capital Stock:
Cumulative preferred stock, dividend per share	$ 1.70	$ 1.70
Cumulative preferred stock, par value	$ 10	$ 10
Common stock, shares issued	431,096,000	431,096,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.25	$ 0.25
Convertible preferred stock into common stock, per share	15	15
Redeemable preferred stock, per share	$ 28.50	$ 28.50
Cumulative preferred stock, shares authorized for which the series has not been designated	2,200,000
Cumulative preferred stock, shares issued for which the series has not been designated	0
Equity (Less):
Treasury stock, shares	110,870,000	109,818,000