Summarized Financial Information Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
		Jan. 26, 2019		Jan. 27, 2018		Jan. 26, 2019		Jan. 27, 2018		Apr. 28, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		$ 1,231,348		$ 1,231,771		$ 2,797,312		$ 2,876,204
Depreciation and amortization		26,622		28,245		74,955		81,842
Operating Income (Loss)		79,227		(34,875)		36,266		(102,319)
Capital Expenditures		27,876		20,439		79,722		69,971
Total Assets		1,784,149	[1]	1,787,845	[1]	1,784,149	[1]	1,787,845	[1]	$ 1,749,568
B&N Retail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	[1]	1,756,713		1,761,571		1,756,713		1,761,571
Nook
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	[1]	27,436		26,274		27,436		26,274
Operating Segments | B&N Retail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		1,214,552		1,210,417		2,743,455		2,810,162
Depreciation and amortization		24,347		25,295		67,513		72,491
Operating Income (Loss)		83,517		(33,546)		42,407		(95,367)
Capital Expenditures		26,528		18,833		75,507		64,777
Operating Segments | Nook
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		24,372		30,930		71,405		86,394
Depreciation and amortization		2,275		2,950		7,442		9,351
Operating Income (Loss)		(4,290)		(1,329)		(6,141)		(6,952)
Capital Expenditures		1,348		1,606		4,215		5,194
Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	[2]	$ (7,576)		$ (9,576)		$ (17,548)		$ (20,352)

[1] (b) Excludes intercompany balances.

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