Certain Relationships and Related Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Apr. 29, 2017 USD ($) Location	Apr. 30, 2016 USD ($)	May 02, 2015 USD ($)
Transactions with Third Party [Line Items]
Net effect of overpayment of construction expenses and underpayment of base rent			$ 418
Corporate Office
Transactions with Third Party [Line Items]
Number of location leased \| Location	2
Annual rent	$ 9,637	$ 7,784	6,834
Office And Warehouse Facilities
Transactions with Third Party [Line Items]
Annual rent		456	262
Ownership interest by related parties	50.00%
Payment for rent		179
Proceeds from rent		174
MBS
Transactions with Third Party [Line Items]
Sales of books	$ 0	2	619
Commission outstanding	$ 480	183
Supply agreement term	10 years
Purchases of books and others	$ 8,328	7,092	14,594
MBS \| B&N.com
Transactions with Third Party [Line Items]
Commission earned	198	268	316
Payment for commissions	47	68	91
TXTB and MBS Direct \| B&N.com
Transactions with Third Party [Line Items]
Payment for commissions	645	515	429
Outstanding amounts payable	5	0
LR Enterprises
Transactions with Third Party [Line Items]
Aircraft time-sharing and operating costs	$ 153	63	155
Argix
Transactions with Third Party [Line Items]
Ownership interest by related parties	20.00%
Freight and transportation costs		$ 19,102	$ 47,536

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Net Lease Payment Transaction

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Percentage of Ownership Interest Related Parties

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for sales commissions.

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Expenses incurred related to the lease of aircraft from outside third parties that are used in the entity's business operations and direct costs incurred at airports primarily consisting of fees paid to the airport authority for takeoff and landing, gate and facility fees, and other related fees.

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Amount of fees and commissions from financial services and banking activities and correspondent clearing. Includes fees from depositor accounts, credit cards, merchant discounts, and fiduciary and trust activities, guarantee fees, investment advisory, management, and administrative fees, transfer agent fees, and insurance commissions.

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Purchases during the period (excluding transactions that are eliminated in consolidated or combined financial statements) with related party.

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Amount of revenue, fees and commissions earned from transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiaries; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) an entity and trusts for the benefit of employees, for example, but not limited to, pension and profit-sharing trusts that are managed by or under the trusteeship of the entity's management; (d) an entity and its principal, owners, management, or members of their immediate families; and (e) affiliates.

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Cost incurred during the reporting period in transporting goods and services to customers. Includes freight-out costs.

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