Hot Topic - Why They're Hated

Today we're going talk about the history of Hot Topic, why they're hated by some, and whether or not that hate is warranted.

[SpaceySodaPop]

Honestly, as someone who never really got to see them in their “best years”; the reason I strongly dislike Hot Topic is because they sell cheap items at high prices. I know many stores like it do similar things but it’s still extremely annoying. I enjoyed Hot topic a lot but as I got older, I finally noticed this problem (for obvious reasons) and just largely disliked them because of it. Like for example, I don’t wanna buy a cheap necklace for about $20 and have it easily break the second I slightly pull on it.

[Inspiration_Date]

I think the problem with Hot Topic is how much they've softened their image over time. Their new logo reflects that change. They started out as pandering to an underground, niche culture, then slowly evolved into a generic merch store.

Hot Topic is a textbook example of how chasing trends can become a problem. If a trend becomes popular that doesn't reflect your store's previous image, then it comes off as jarring.

[lamiamoonshadow]

My mom was a bit of a bad girl before she had kids, so she didn't mind taking me through hot topic growing up. She may be all about flowers and butterflies now, but she'd always compliment me on my style choices and tell me how creative and fun the store's clothes were. The only thing she asked was that I wouldn't start hating her for no reason like the other kids during their teens lol

[saran]

One of my favorite episodes of South Park is when the goth kids burn down Hot Topic to prevent the scene kids from becoming popular hahaha

[alphashadow]

I remember as a kid in the 2000s walking past Hot Topic in the mall and thinking it looked like the coolest place ever but knowing my mom would not like me to go in there, so I always wished I could go there one day when I was older. But by the time I was older, they had transitioned to selling pop culture stuff so I felt disappointed finally going in there to buy something for the first time and seeing it was no longer how it used to be.

[JamesChessman]

There’s nothing more hardcore than making your mom bring you to Hot Topic haha

[crimsonritual]

These are general reasons why hot topic is “hated” but it ignores a core problem with hot topic and mainstream stores. They steal ideas, almost tracing over artwork all from indie artists, sometimes even working with indie artists, but they never give any credit or pay them (and if they do, it’s very little). It’s kinda sad that more stores and more celebrities keep doing this.

[sushirabit]

I once went into a hot topic and the only thing I could remember about going there is that the main store clerk running in it had more rings covering his face than a sonic level

[JonathanXxboxlive]

As someone who worked at Hot Topic in 2020 - we absolutely had competition. We were told that Spencer's, FYE and Gamestop (because of Funkos) were our competitors, any store that sold what we had was our competition was basically the gist of what was explained to me. The only other entertainment place we weren't basically shunned for visiting was Box Lunch, which is Hot Topic's brother/sister store.

[nani]

i started shopping at hot topic right when they started shifting their key audience in 2015. i saw the whole transition happen in real time. even now there's such a big difference from the geeky era you mentioned, as they're starting to pander to more brighter forms of media (anime, disney and sanrio rather than comics and books) and mostly put the band shirts in the back of the stores. even the music in the stores have changed; you're more likely to hear more upbeat pop rock than the older screamo and metal music. while it's nice to see people (me included) get their fandom merchandise in a more accessible place, it feels like the original charm that made the store what it was is slowly being washed out every year. it's a bittersweet change.

(I guess a bright side to this is that parents would be more inclined to come in with their kids though lol)

[InKedEihT]

Hot topic was a key piece of my life as a goth kid in the early 2000s. Tripp pants, quality spiked leather bracelets and chokers, full-finger rings. I remember the transition to the current model happening while I was in college and walking up to a recently remodeled store that was so…bright and “welcoming”. It felt like a betrayal. I hated the change and stopped going in for the longest time. Now I’ll go in on occasion just to see what they have, and even though I’m no longer that goth kid, there’s still a little bit of that resentful feeling for it not being like it was.

[starlesspaw]

honestly hot topic was such a vibe in the early 2010s i worked there and it was super chill, manager let us listen to our own music, there was a decent balance of traditional hot topic and shelves of adventure time figurines and need shit. there was something so genuinely sweet on black friday and around the holidays when confused parents and grandparents would come and all lost and confused to shop for their teenage loved one

[Azakamak]

"Even if they were next door to a place like Spencer's Gifts, I still believe Hot Topic would thrive." You are 100% correct on that. The local mall near where I live has had a Hot Topic literally right next to a Spencer's for well over a decade now and they've both done fine as well as I know.

[not_zippy]

When I was in middle school (and an emo), hot topic was THE place to get alt fashion for cheap (or at least cheaper than other alt retailers, which were mostly only available online). Now, you’re lucky to find ONE My Chemical Romance shirt among the sea of mainstream rapper and pop singer merch. There is no issue with stores carrying these things, but it has overtaken the only place that carried alternative fashion and merch. I still dress mildly alternative, and it’s so irritating to have to get everything from online retailers now that my local hot topic is basically now just Zumiez with some anime merch.

[ideologybot]

"People who were into alternative music felt like they were just capitalizing on what was trendy, and making money from it."

Store is literally called HOT TOPIC. Thank you for your sanity in seeing this.

[Shlongli]

Lol I once went to hot topic with my mom and she looked at me all worried and asked "do you really like all this devilish stuff?" She is highly religious and thought that hot topic was demonic. After we left she told me that she never wanted to go back there again. Even tho she hates Alternative things, she still respects me for who I am and tries to understand me little by little.

[EyeOfTheDragon]

Hot Topic was a store that my mom never let me go in. When I got my first part time job in my early teens—it was one of the first stores I went to. I loved the band bracelets, the warped tour CDs (my parents wouldn't let me go), band tees, and all of the alternative accessories. Finally being able to shop at Hot Topic represented personal freedom and expression.

[drparsley]

“I’d give everything just to walk through those gates one more time” is the truest statement that brought back so much yearning and nostalgia I didn’t realize I had been harboring.

While I was suffering through my angst of adolescence, I didn’t even realize how special it was. Or how quickly it was flying by. It seems like yesterday I was dragging my bassoon on and off a bus, with 6” stacks, and fishnets.

Now I have a son going into high school that thinks I’m old, and I know nothing.

[Phoenixfeather-veru]

As a hot topic employee, I dont mind my job at all. Sure theres every down fall to a retail job, shitty customers, revising the store, having to pick up after people, etc. but the place im at is well managed, great coworkers, and a pretty fun place to work at. The only thing i have against hot topic atm is how there toooo much fandom merch. They need more just alt clothes and not have all their clothes branded. And if i get another fucking disney stitch merch in shipment im going to loose my fucking mind. Honestly thats another issue is have, theres much disney shit. Like an ungodly amount. Just bring in some more unbranded clothes, accessories, etc and ill be fine

[jdgx]

I worked seasonal at a hot topic recently and I’m constantly amazed at how slow people can be at realizing the store has changed ..so often I’d hear some fat guy with a beard go “man this place used to be cool and sell NOFX shirts” or have people in genuine disbelief that we hadn’t sold three days Grace shirts in a long time ….makes me wonder though with the frequency I heard people complaining gotta wonder if a throwback hot topic ish store with some updates would work sure seems like a underserved market and nostalgia is powerful