Inventories
 9 Months Ended
Jan. 29, 2017
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]  
Inventories
5.  Inventories

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined using the FIFO (first-in, first-out) method.

A summary of inventories follows:

(dollars in thousands)
  
January 29, 2017
    
January 31, 2016
    
May 1, 2016
  
Raw materials
  
$
6,977
    
$
6,831
    
$
5,462
  
Work-in-process
    
3,161
      
3,365
      
2,972
  
Finished goods
    
36,055
      
38,289
      
38,097
  
   
$
46,193
    
$
48,485
    
$
46,531