Schedule of Operations for Discontinued Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015	Nov. 01, 2014	Oct. 31, 2015	Nov. 01, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ (12,023)	$ 16,365	$ (39,146)	$ (13,065)
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sales		751,276	238,983	977,370
Cost of sales and occupancy		577,120	186,697	755,124
Gross profit		174,156	52,286	222,246
Selling and administrative expenses	8,289	94,153	94,933	173,561
Depreciation and amortization		12,508	13,100	25,052
Operating profit (loss) from discontinued operations	(8,289)	67,495	(55,747)	23,633
Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred financing fees		14	3	19
Income (loss) before taxes from discontinued operations	(8,289)	67,481	(55,750)	23,614
Income taxes	3,734	50,074	(16,604)	36,679
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ (12,023)	$ 17,407	$ (39,146)	$ (13,065)