Schedule of Operations for Discontinued Operations (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 01, 2015 USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net loss from discontinued operations	$ (27,123)
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	238,983
Cost of sales and occupancy	186,697
Gross profit	52,286
Selling and administrative expenses	86,644
Depreciation and amortization	13,100
Operating loss from discontinued operations	(47,458)
Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred financing fees	3
Loss before taxes from discontinued operations	(47,461)
Income taxes	(20,338)
Net loss from discontinued operations	$ (27,123)