Summarized Financial Information Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
		Oct. 27, 2018		Oct. 28, 2017		Oct. 27, 2018		Oct. 28, 2017		Apr. 28, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		$ 771,188		$ 791,117		$ 1,565,964		$ 1,644,433
Depreciation and amortization		24,448		27,199		48,333		53,597
Operating loss		(26,760)		(52,232)		(42,961)		(67,444)
Capital Expenditures		38,242		28,827		51,846		49,532
Total Assets		1,956,159	[1]	2,202,688	[1]	1,956,159	[1]	2,202,688	[1]	$ 1,749,568
B&N Retail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	[1]	1,931,335		2,174,430		1,931,335		2,174,430
Nook
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	[1]	24,824		28,258		24,824		28,258
Operating Segments | B&N Retail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		753,185		769,709		1,528,903		1,599,745
Depreciation and amortization		21,888		24,117		43,166		47,196
Operating loss		(25,242)		(49,311)		(41,110)		(61,821)
Capital Expenditures		36,749		27,045		48,979		45,944
Operating Segments | Nook
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		21,763		25,964		47,033		55,464
Depreciation and amortization		2,560		3,082		5,167		6,401
Operating loss		(1,518)		(2,921)		(1,851)		(5,623)
Capital Expenditures		1,493		1,782		2,867		3,588
Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	[2]	$ (3,760)		$ (4,556)		$ (9,972)		$ (10,776)

[1] (b) Excludes intercompany balances.

[2] (a) Represents sales from NOOK to B&N Retail on a sell-through basis.