Hot Topic

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## Hot Topic

### Founded

October 1989; 31 years agoMontclair PlazaMontclair, California, U.S.

### Key People

Steve Vranes, CEO (2016–present)
Betsy McLaughlin, CEO (2000–2011)
Bruce Quinell, Chairman of the Board

### Products

Clothing, accessories, music, jewelry, gifts

### Subsidiaries

Torrid, Hot Topic Kids, ShockHound, Blackheart Lingerie, BoxLunch

**Hot Topic** (stylized as **HOT TOPIC**) is a retail chain specializing in counterculture-related clothing and accessories, as well as licensed music. The stores are aimed towards an audience interested in rock music and video gaming, and most of their audience ranges from teens to young adults. Approximately 40% of Hot Topic's revenue comes from sales of licensed band T-shirts. Hot Topic often negotiates exclusive licensing arrangements with musical artists, movie studios, and graphic artists. The majority of the stores are located in regional shopping malls.

## History

The first Hot Topic store was opened in November 1989 in Montclair Plaza, Montclair, California, by Orv Madden, a former executive at The Children's Place, who retired as CEO in 2000 and was replaced by Betsy McLaughlin, who headed the company until 2011. Lisa Harper assumed the position of CEO in March 2011 until Steve Vranes was announced as the new CEO in 2016. The company went public and began trading on NASDAQ in 1996.

In 2013, Hot Topic announced its sale to AEON Group for $600 million. AEON's American Operations were later acquired by Limited Brands in 2021.

## Product assortment and sales

The store has been through a number of phases in its history, reflective of various alternative culture and pop culture (including geek culture) trends. In the early 2000s, the store was known for heavily marketing nu-metal merchandise relating to bands. During that period, the store was also known for its sales of controversial gel bracelets (often rumored to be "sex bracelets") as well as the equally controversial styles of phat pants-inspired bondage pants popular among teenagers in the late 1990s and early-to-mid 2000s.

The store later focused on skinny jeans and merchandise related to scene, emo and hardcore music and fashion. At present, the store's selection is largely focused on licensed video game merchandise and internet memes popular on sites such as tumblr, as well as anime and manga, and the associated otaku subculture.

## Ventures

Hot Topic launched Torrid, a concept store that sells clothing for plus-size women, in 2001. While still under the same parent umbrella as Hot Topic, in 2015 the company branched off to become Torrid, LLC.

In 2005, Hot Topic launched Hot Topic Rocks Kids!, a concept store that sells kid oriented merchandise. In 2009, Hot Topic renamed it to simply Hot Topic Kids.

In 2008, Hot Topic launched ShockHound, an online retailer and social networking music site.

In August 2010, Hot Topic opened two new stores in Canada, which also marked the chain's first two international outlets. The first store opened on August 11 at Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, and then at Scarborough Town Centre in Toronto, Ontario the following day. The company has since also opened additional Canadian locations as well as locations in Puerto Rico.

In 2012, Hot Topic launched Blackheart Lingerie, a concept store that sells lingerie and clothing for women.

On May 26, 2015, Hot Topic announced its intent to acquire Geeknet Inc., owner of the online retailer ThinkGeek, for $122 million. However, the company received a $140 million counter-offer from GameStop, which Hot Topic did not choose to exceed.

On October 14, 2015, Hot Topic launched BoxLunch, a gift and novelty retail store. For every $10 spent, a meal is donated to a person in need.

## See also

* BoxLunch
* Hot Topic/Locations
* ShockHound
* Torrid

## External links

* Hot Topic on USA Store Fanon Wiki

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