Gift Cards	9 Months Ended
Jan. 26, 2013
Gift Cards	(8) Gift Cards The Company sells gift cards which can be used in its stores or on Barnes & Noble.com. The Company does not charge administrative or dormancy fees on gift cards and gift cards have no expiration dates. Upon the purchase of a gift card, a liability is established for its cash value. Revenue associated with gift cards is deferred until redemption of the gift card. Over time, some portion of the gift cards issued are not redeemed. The Company estimates the portion of the gift card liability for which the likelihood of redemption is remote based upon the Company’s historical redemption patterns. The Company records this amount in income on a straight-line basis over a 12-month period beginning in the 13th month after the month the gift card was originally sold. The Company recognized gift card breakage of $6,001 and $12,554 during the 13 weeks ended January 26, 2013 and January 28, 2012, respectively and $18,061 and $23,199 during the 39 weeks ended January 26, 2013 and January 28, 2012, respectively. The Company had gift card liabilities of $386,704 and $367,555 as of January 26, 2013 and January 28, 2012, respectively.

(8) Gift Cards

The Company sells gift cards which can be used in its stores or on Barnes & Noble.com. The Company does not charge administrative or dormancy fees on gift cards and gift cards have no expiration dates. Upon the purchase of a gift card, a liability is established for its cash value. Revenue associated with gift cards is deferred until redemption of the gift card. Over time, some portion of the gift cards issued are not redeemed. The Company estimates the portion of the gift card liability for which the likelihood of redemption is remote based upon the Company’s historical redemption patterns. The Company records this amount in income on a straight-line basis over a 12-month period beginning in the 13th month after the month the gift card was originally sold. The Company recognized gift card breakage of $6,001 and $12,554 during the 13 weeks ended January 26, 2013 and January 28, 2012, respectively and $18,061 and $23,199 during the 39 weeks ended January 26, 2013 and January 28, 2012, respectively. The Company had gift card liabilities of $386,704 and $367,555 as of January 26, 2013 and January 28, 2012, respectively.