Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 27, 2012		Apr. 28, 2012	Oct. 29, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 470,994		$ 54,131	$ 23,633
Receivables, net	224,545		160,497	240,600
Merchandise inventories, net	1,796,208		1,561,841	1,836,740
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	223,325		221,324	180,352
Total current assets	2,715,072		1,997,793	2,281,325
Property and equipment:
Land and land improvements	2,541		2,541	8,617
Buildings and leasehold improvements	1,211,156		1,196,764	1,220,869
Fixtures and equipment	1,833,667		1,784,492	1,725,135
Property and equipment, gross	3,047,364		2,983,797	2,954,621
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	2,462,310		2,361,142	2,280,551
Net property and equipment	585,054		622,655	674,070
Goodwill	515,524		519,685	521,899
Intangible assets, net	558,157		564,054	574,964
Other noncurrent assets	57,218		61,062	55,794
Total assets	4,431,025	[1]	3,765,249	4,108,052	[1]
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,448,397		959,423	1,461,981
Accrued liabilities	470,975		546,495	436,868
Gift card liabilities	297,191		321,362	287,268
Total current liabilities	2,216,563		1,827,280	2,186,117
Long-term debt	338,400		324,200	274,900
Long-term deferred taxes	292,879		268,774	275,868
Other long-term liabilities	364,966		405,065	418,923
Redeemable Preferred Shares; $.001 par value; 5,000 shares authorized; 204, 204 and 204 shares issued, respectively	192,904		192,273	191,681
Preferred Membership Interests in NOOK Media, LLC	289,054
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock; $.001 par value; 300,000 shares authorized; 92,037, 90,856 and 91,376 shares issued, respectively	92		91	91
Additional paid-in capital	1,377,992		1,340,909	1,331,983
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(16,635)		(16,635)	(11,630)
Retained earnings	434,174		481,574	495,830
Treasury stock, at cost, 33,801, 33,527 and 33,722 shares, respectively	(1,059,364)		(1,058,282)	(1,055,711)
Total shareholders' equity	736,259		747,657	760,563
Commitments and contingencies
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 4,431,025		$ 3,765,249	$ 4,108,052

[1] Excludes intercompany balances.