Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands	Jul. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 22,353	$ 59,429	$ 27,019
Receivables, net	156,543	150,294	111,087
Merchandise inventories	1,814,436	1,375,362	1,787,683
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	156,632	161,936	187,362
Total current assets	2,149,964	1,747,021	2,113,151
Property and equipment:
Land and land improvements	8,617	8,617	8,617
Buildings and leasehold improvements	1,208,454	1,204,108	1,206,255
Fixtures and equipment	1,690,529	1,670,488	1,613,754
Property, plant and equipment, gross	2,907,600	2,883,213	2,828,626
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	2,228,562	2,178,562	2,048,760
Net property and equipment	679,038	704,651	779,866
Goodwill	523,006	524,113	527,434
Intangible assets, net	563,034	566,578	577,300
Other noncurrent assets	56,615	54,103	62,103
Total assets	3,971,657	3,596,466	4,059,854
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	1,275,708	949,010	1,267,786
Accrued liabilities	704,916	785,667	674,461
Short-term note payable			100,000
Total current liabilities	1,980,624	1,734,677	2,042,247
Long-term debt	509,600	313,100	380,000
Deferred taxes	279,716	280,132	311,158
Other long-term liabilities	434,334	448,647	496,329
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock; $.001 par value; 300,000 shares authorized; 90,641, 90,465 and 89,102 shares issued, respectively	91	90	89
Additional paid-in capital	1,327,948	1,323,263	1,290,803
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(11,630)	(11,630)	(13,212)
Retained earnings	505,773	562,379	603,850
Treasury stock, at cost, 33,453, 33,410 and 33,314 shares, respectively	(1,054,799)	(1,054,192)	(1,052,935)
Total Barnes & Noble, Inc. shareholders' equity	767,383	819,910	828,595
Noncontrolling interest			1,525
Total shareholders' equity	767,383	819,910	830,120
Commitments and contingencies
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 3,971,657	$ 3,596,466	$ 4,059,854