Schedule of Operations for Discontinued Operations (Detail) - Barnes & Noble Education, Inc - Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2015
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	$ 8,289	94,933
Depreciation and amortization		13,100
Operating loss from discontinued operations	(8,289)	(55,747)
Interest expense, net and amortization of deferred financing fees		3
Loss before taxes from discontinued operations	(8,289)	(55,750)
Income taxes	3,734	(16,604)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Barnes & Noble, Inc.	$ (12,023)	$ (39,146)