<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001193125-10-020812
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20100203
<ITEMS>2.02
<ITEMS>9.01
<FILING-DATE>20100203
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20100203
<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>10571007
</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">

 <P STYLE="line-height:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P
STYLE="line-height:3px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>UNITED STATES </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P
STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>Form&nbsp;8-K
</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P
STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>Current Report Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest
event reported): February&nbsp;3, 2010 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P
STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="6"><B>Hot Topic, Inc.
</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P
STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</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 STYLE="font-family: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 STYLE="font-family: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 STYLE="font-family: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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(State or other jurisdiction</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px"
ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: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 STYLE="font-family: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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(I.R.S. Employer</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Identification No.)</B></FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: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 STYLE="font-family: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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>91748</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Zip Code)</B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman"
SIZE="2"><B>Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code:&nbsp;(626)&nbsp;839-4681 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Not Applicable.
</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.) </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P
STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: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="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:8px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P
STYLE="line-height:3px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

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


<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;2.02</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Results of Operations and Financial Condition. </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of a press release that Hot Topic, Inc. issued on February&nbsp;3, 2010 containing certain financial information for the fiscal month of January as well as the
fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January&nbsp;30, 2010. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The information in this Item&nbsp;2.02 and the corresponding
exhibit are being furnished and shall not be deemed &#147;filed&#148; for the purposes of Section&nbsp;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="font-size:18px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits. </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><I>(d) Exhibits: </I></B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="5%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:25pt" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Exhibit<BR>No.</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:39pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Description</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">99.1</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Press Release of Hot Topic, Inc. dated February 3, 2010.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature on following page.] </FONT></P>

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

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>SIGNATURE </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: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="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="6%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"><FONT STYLE="font-family: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"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;J<SMALL>AMES</SMALL>
M<SMALL>C</SMALL>G<SMALL>INTY&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</SMALL></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>James McGinty</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Chief Financial Officer</B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Date:
February&nbsp;3, 2010 </FONT></P>

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

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="5%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:25pt" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Exhibit<BR>No.</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:39pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Description</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">99.1</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Press Release issued by Hot Topic, Inc. on February 3, 2010.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Exhibit 99.1 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"
ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>** NEWS RELEASE ** </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>HOT TOPIC, INC. REPORTS JANUARY
COMP STORE SALES DOWN 13.1% </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">CITY of INDUSTRY, CA, February&nbsp;3, 2010 &#151; Hot Topic, Inc. (Nasdaq Global Select
Market: HOTT) today announced the sales results for its fiscal month of January as well as its fourth quarter and fiscal year (four weeks, thirteen weeks and fifty-two weeks, respectively, ended January&nbsp;30, 2010). A summary of the sales results
by division (including internet) is as follows: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="75%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></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="3" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Net Sales</B></FONT></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" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Comparable&nbsp;Store</B></FONT><br><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Sales % Change</B>
</FONT></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" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>$</B></FONT><br><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Millions</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>%&nbsp;Change</B></FONT><br><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>To Last</B></FONT><br><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Year</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>This</B></FONT><br><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Year</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Last</B></FONT><br><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Year</B></FONT></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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">JANUARY:</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Hot Topic</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">30.3</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-15.4</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-17.4</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">8.8</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Torrid</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">9.5</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">5.4</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">5.7</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-6.2</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Total Co.</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">39.8</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-11.2</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-13.1</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">6.0</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">FOURTH QUARTER:</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Hot Topic</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">174.2</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-12.4</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-13.5</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">6.5</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Torrid</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">40.0</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1.7</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">0.0</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-2.7</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Total Co.</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">214.2</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-10.0</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-11.5</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">5.2</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">FISCAL YEAR:</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Hot Topic</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">579.8</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-4.5</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-5.6</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1.8</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Torrid</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">156.9</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1.6</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-2.9</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-2.4</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Total Co.</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">736.7</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-3.2</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-5.1</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1.0</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The company
now expects its fourth quarter earnings to be at the low end of its guidance of $0.18 to $0.20 per diluted share. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">For more
detailed information relating to the above matters, please call 626-709-1209 to listen to a recorded commentary. Additionally, a conference call to discuss fourth quarter and fiscal year end results, business trends, guidance and other matters is
scheduled for March&nbsp;10, 2010 at 4:30 PM (ET). The conference call number is 866-314-5050, pass code &#147;Hot Topic&#148;, and will be accessible to all interested parties. It will also be webcast on the company&#146;s Investor Relations
website located at http://investorrelations.hottopic.com. A replay of the conference call will be available at 888-286-8010, pass code 73430006, for approximately two weeks. In addition, a webcast replay of the conference call will be available on
the company&#146;s Investor Relations website for approximately two weeks. </FONT></P>

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

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Hot Topic, Inc. is a mall and web based specialty retailer operating the Hot Topic and
Torrid concepts, as well as the e-space music discovery concept, ShockHound. Hot Topic offers music/pop culture-licensed and music/pop culture-influenced apparel, accessories, music and gift items for young men and women principally between the ages
of 12 and 22. Torrid offers apparel, lingerie, shoes and accessories designed for various lifestyles for plus-size females principally between the ages of 15 and 29. ShockHound (www.shockhound.com) is a one-stop, genre-spanning music website where
people of all ages can purchase MP3s and music merchandise, share their music interests, and read music news and editorial content. As of January&nbsp;30, 2010, the company operated 680 Hot Topic stores in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, 156 Torrid
stores, and Internet stores www.hottopic.com, www.torrid.com and www.shockhound.com. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In addition to historical information,
this news release and the aforementioned recorded commentary contain forward-looking statements, which may include statements relating to financial results, guidance, store operations, closures, remodels and relocations, projections and other
financial performance. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including risks and uncertainties associated with meeting expected financial results, fluctuations in sales and comparable store sales results, our online music site, music,
licensing and fashion trends, competition from other retailers, uncertainties generally associated with specialty retailing, technology and other risks associated with Internet sales, the effect of negative conditions in the economic environment
(including global capital and credit markets), 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, relationships with mall developers and
operators, relationships with our vendors, litigation proceedings and contingent liabilities, as well as other risks detailed in the company&#146;s SEC reports including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January&nbsp;31, 2009 and its
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. 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:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Contact: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Hot Topic, Inc., City of Industry, CA
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Jim McGinty, CFO 626-839-4681 x2675 </FONT></P>
</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
