Editing Hot Topic (section)

==Ventures==
Hot Topic launched [[Torrid (clothing retailer)|Torrid]], a concept store that sells [[Plus-size clothing|clothing for plus-size women]], in 2001.<ref>{{cite web |first=Lynn |last=Harris |url=http://www.salon.com/2005/04/06/torrid/ |title=Living large |work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]] |date=April 6, 2005 |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-date=February 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228000151/http://www.salon.com/2005/04/06/torrid/ |url-status=live }}</ref> While still under the same parent umbrella as Hot Topic, in 2015 the company branched off to become Torrid, LLC.

In 2008, Hot Topic launched [[ShockHound]], an online retailer and [[social networking]] music site.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.universalmusic.com/hot-topic-inc-launches-shockhound-new-all-in-one-music-site/|title=HOT TOPIC, INC. LAUNCHES SHOCKHOUND, NEW ALL-IN-ONE MUSIC SITE - UMG|date=28 October 2008|access-date=24 May 2016|archive-date=24 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624170934/http://www.universalmusic.com/hot-topic-inc-launches-shockhound-new-all-in-one-music-site/|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2011, Hot Topic made a public statement announcing the shutdown of ShockHound. The site is no longer live, all merchandise was moved to HotTopic.com, and the company ceased sales of [[MP3|MP3s]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110328006652/en/Hot-Topic-Announces-2011-Including-ShockHound-Closure|title=Hot Topic, Inc. Announces 2011 Changes Including ShockHound Closure|website=www.businesswire.com|date=28 March 2011|access-date=24 May 2016|archive-date=24 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624155744/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110328006652/en/Hot-Topic-Announces-2011-Including-ShockHound-Closure|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2010, Hot Topic first ventured the international market with opening two outlets in [[Ontario]], [[Canada]], initially at [[Square One Shopping Centre]] in [[Mississauga, Ontario|Mississauga]] on August 11, and then at [[Scarborough Town Centre]] in [[Toronto]] the following day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.financialpost.com/news/Topic%20open%20shops%20Canada/3183279/story.html#ixzz0sqD8rB29 |title=Hot Topic to open shops in Canada |publisher=Financialpost.com |date=2010-06-21 |access-date=2014-02-26 |archive-date=2014-03-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302120340/http://www.financialpost.com/news/Topic%20open%20shops%20Canada/3183279/story.html#ixzz0sqD8rB29 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jessica |last=Misener |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/01/hot-topic-lingerie-blackheart-stores-underwear_n_2059095.html |title=Hot Topic Launching 'Blackheart' Lingerie Line For The Romantic Mall-Goth In You |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |date=2012-11-01 |access-date=2014-07-16 |archive-date=2014-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725204711/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/01/hot-topic-lingerie-blackheart-stores-underwear_n_2059095.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On May 26, 2015, Hot Topic announced its intent to acquire [[Geeknet|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.<ref name=bloomberg-hottopicoffer>{{cite news|title=Geeknet Gives Hot Topic Three Days to Match Higher Offer|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-29/geeknet-gives-hot-topic-three-days-to-match-higher-rival-offer|access-date=30 May 2015|work=Bloomberg|archive-date=2015-05-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531043946/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-29/geeknet-gives-hot-topic-three-days-to-match-higher-rival-offer|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=wsj-geeknethottopic>{{cite news|title=Hot Topic to Buy Retailer Geeknet Inc.|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/hot-topic-to-buy-retailer-geeknet-inc-1432639751|access-date=26 May 2015|work=Wall Street Journal|archive-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228082619/https://www.wsj.com/articles/hot-topic-to-buy-retailer-geeknet-inc-1432639751|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=wsj-geeknethigher>{{cite news |title=Geeknet Calls New Takeover Offer Superior to Hot Topic's Bid |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/geeknet-calls-new-takeover-offer-superior-to-hot-topics-bid-1432911893 |website=The Wall Street Journal |date=29 May 2015 |access-date=30 May 2015 |last1=Beilfuss |first1=Lisa |archive-date=28 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228081739/https://www.wsj.com/articles/geeknet-calls-new-takeover-offer-superior-to-hot-topics-bid-1432911893 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=ars-gamestopgeeknet>{{cite web|title=GameStop outbids Hot Topic for ThinkGeek parent company purchase|url=https://arstechnica.com/business/2015/06/gamestop-outbids-hot-topic-for-thinkgeek-parent-company-purchase/|website=Ars Technica|date=2 June 2015|access-date=2 June 2015|archive-date=25 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725192421/https://arstechnica.com/business/2015/06/gamestop-outbids-hot-topic-for-thinkgeek-parent-company-purchase/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 14, 2015, Hot Topic launched BoxLunch, a gift and novelty retail store.<ref>{{cite news|title=New BoxLunch Stores To Carry Pop! Vinyls|url=http://popvinyls.com/2015/10/14/new-boxlunch-stores-to-carry-pop-vinyls/|publisher=Pop Vinyls|date=2015-10-14|access-date=2015-11-04|archive-date=2015-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116134610/http://popvinyls.com/2015/10/14/new-boxlunch-stores-to-carry-pop-vinyls/|url-status=live}}</ref> For every $10 spent, a meal is donated to a person in need.<ref>{{cite web|title=BoxLunch|url=http://www.boxlunchgifts.com/|website=BoxLunch|access-date=2015-11-04|archive-date=2015-11-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101100813/http://www.boxlunchgifts.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>