<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001193125-05-096031
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20050504
<ITEMS>2.02
<ITEMS>9.01
<FILING-DATE>20050505
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20050504
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>HOT TOPIC INC /CA/
<CIK>0001017712
<ASSIGNED-SIC>5600
<IRS-NUMBER>770198182
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>CA
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>0130
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>8-K
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-28784
<FILM-NUMBER>05800729
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>18305 EAST SAN JOSE AVENUE
<CITY>CITY OF INDUSTRY
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>91748
<PHONE>6268394681
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>18305 EAST SAN JOSE AVENUE
<CITY>CITY OF INDUSTRY
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>91768
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d8k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

<HR SIZE="3" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>UNITED STATES </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="3"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><HR WIDTH="17%" SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>Form 8-K </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><HR WIDTH="17%"
SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>Current Report Pursuant to Section 13
or 15(d) of </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 4, 2005 </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><HR WIDTH="17%" SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="6"><B>Hot Topic, Inc. </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><HR WIDTH="17%" SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="34%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>California</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>0-28784</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>77-0198182</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(State or other jurisdiction</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>of incorporation)</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Commission File Number)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(I.R.S. Employer</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Identification No.)</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>18305 E. San Jose Avenue</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>City of Industry, California</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>91748</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Zip Code)</B></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Registrant&#146;s
telephone number, including area code: (626) 839-4681 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2"><B>Not Applicable </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.) </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><HR WIDTH="17%" SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&#168;</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&#168;</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&#168;</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&#168;</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><HR SIZE="3" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left">

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item 2.02 Results of Operation and Financial Condition. </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of a press release that Hot Topic, Inc. issued on
May 4, 2005 reporting, among other things, its sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 (quarter ended April 30, 2005). </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>(c) Exhibits. </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>99.1</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Press Release of Hot Topic, Inc., dated May 4, 2005.</B> </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The information in this Current Report is being furnished and shall not be deemed &#147;filed&#148; for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any
general incorporation language in such filing. </FONT></P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>SIGNATURE </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>HOT TOPIC, INC.</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ JAMES MCGINTY</FONT></P><HR WIDTH="90%" SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">James McGinty</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><I>Chief Financial
Officer</I></FONT></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Date: May 4, 2005 </FONT></P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>99.1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Press Release of Hot Topic, Inc., dated May 4, 2005.</B> </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
</BODY></HTML>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>dex991.htm
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Press Release</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Exhibit 99.1 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>** NEWS RELEASE ** </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>HOT TOPIC, INC. REPORTS APRIL COMP STORE SALES DOWN 4.1% </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>First Quarter Comp Sales Increased 0.9% </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">CITY of INDUSTRY, CA, May 4, 2005 &#151; Hot Topic, Inc. (Nasdaq National Market: HOTT) today announced the following sales results for the fiscal month
of April (ended April 30, 2005): </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="77%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="4" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Net Sales</B></FONT><BR><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="4" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Comparable&nbsp;Store<BR>Sales % Change</B></FONT><BR><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>$<BR>Millions</B></FONT><BR><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>%&nbsp;Increase<BR>to Last<BR>Year</B></FONT><BR><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>This</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="1"><B>Year</B></FONT></P><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Last<BR>Year</B></FONT><BR><HR SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">April</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">44.0</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">11</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-4.1</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">0.7</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">First Quarter</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">149.7</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">17</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">0.9</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">4.0</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The Company also
reiterated its first quarter earnings guidance of $0.11 per diluted share, flat to the same quarter last year. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">For more detailed information on April sales results, please call 626-709-1209 to listen to a recorded commentary. Additionally, a conference call to
discuss first quarter results, business trends and other matters is scheduled for May 18, 2005 at 4:30 PM (ET). The conference call number is 800-370-0869, and will be accessible to all interested parties. It will also be webcast at
www.companyboardroom.com. A replay will be available at 877-519-4471, pass code 5914323, for approximately 10 days. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Hot Topic, Inc. is a national mall-based specialty retailer. Hot Topic offers apparel, accessories and gifts to young men and women principally between
the ages of 12 and 22. Torrid, the Company&#146;s second concept, provides plus-size fashion-forward apparel and accessories that target young women principally between the ages of 15 and 29. The Company currently operates 610 Hot Topic stores in
all 50 states and Puerto Rico, 89 Torrid stores, and Internet stores <U>www.hottopic.com</U> and <U>www.torrid.com</U>. </FONT></P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In addition to historical information, this news release and the aforementioned recorded commentary
contain forward-looking statements, which include statements relating to financial results, guidance, projections and other financial performance, and managing growth. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including risks and
uncertainties associated with meeting expected financial results, management of growth, relationships with mall developers and operators, the risk that available cash or mall space will not be adequate for planned expansion, fluctuations in sales
and comparable store sales results, risks and uncertainties with respect to new store openings including risks associated with the Company&#146;s new store concepts and Internet stores, music and fashion trends, competition from other retailers,
uncertainties generally associated with specialty retailing, the effect of economic conditions, the effect of severe weather or natural disasters, political and/or social changes or events that could negatively impact shopping patterns and/or mall
traffic as well as other risks detailed in the Company&#146;s SEC reports, including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 29, 2005. Historical results achieved are not necessarily
indicative of the future prospects of the Company, and actual results or circumstances could differ materially from the forward-looking statements. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Contact: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Hot Topic, Inc., City of Industry, CA </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Mr. Jim McGinty, CFO 626-839-4681 x2675 </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Ms. Megan Hall, Manager of I.R. 626-839-4681 x2173 </FONT></P>
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