View Full Version : Did Brit-Pop and Indie Music Kill Hot Topic?
Jason Tate
04/02/07, 11:07 AM
Hot Topic's sales are down (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17504136/).
Daveyhavok832
04/02/07, 11:10 AM
not a huge drop... 2.9% for a month
i12punk
04/02/07, 11:12 AM
I think kids are starting to realize how outrageous hot topic's prices are.
floffusjerk
04/02/07, 11:12 AM
it'll go back up the next time some dumb band that wears girls pants and eyeliner releases a sick mosh cd on victory records.
ArmaniMassacre
04/02/07, 11:17 AM
I think Hot Topic is slowly killing themselves....they can't figure out which scene they wanna cater to, so they just fill their stores with nonsense that nobody can figure out. I mean, when I walk in and the first thing I see is a Misfits hoodie and some Spongebob shit.....I'm probably not gonna shop their ever again....or is that just me?
nooneslatina
04/02/07, 11:17 AM
3% rise from last year. its still good. I dont think people will be selling stocks right now. They need to make smarter investments in the clothing lines they have on hold lately and things then will change for them.
nooneslatina
04/02/07, 11:18 AM
I think Hot Topic is slowly killing themselves....they can't figure out which scene they wanna cater to, so they just fill their stores with nonsense that nobody can figure out. I mean, when I walk in and the first thing I see is a Misfits hoodie and some Spongebob shit.....I'm probably not gonna shop their ever again....or is that just me?
nope you're not alone.
Daveyhavok832
04/02/07, 11:22 AM
I think Hot Topic is slowly killing themselves....they can't figure out which scene they wanna cater to, so they just fill their stores with nonsense that nobody can figure out. I mean, when I walk in and the first thing I see is a Misfits hoodie and some Spongebob shit.....I'm probably not gonna shop their ever again....or is that just me?
...just you.
The name is Hot Topic, implying they will cater to things that are Hot... such as spongebob or the misfits. I get more upset by all the people rocking misfits gear that never listened to the band than by Hot Topic having Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shit in their store...
nerdvglc
04/02/07, 11:25 AM
i would buy cd's there, but they are way more expensive than other places...they are probably dying because the entire section of the wall dedicated to HIM, that's why i don't like it there...i will say though, i spend like $70 every time i go in there, it's just that i only go there once every couple of months because i hate the mall atmoshpere
Smash Adams
04/02/07, 11:28 AM
the big problem with hot topic is that malls are not counter culture
...xcore
04/02/07, 11:30 AM
the big problem with hot topic is that malls are not counter culture
hot topic is hardly counter culture, either.
ArmaniMassacre
04/02/07, 11:34 AM
...just you.
The name is Hot Topic, implying they will cater to things that are Hot... such as spongebob or the misfits. I get more upset by all the people rocking misfits gear that never listened to the band than by Hot Topic having Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shit in their store...
well unfortunately, I remember walking into a Hot Topic in New Jersey in 99 and everything in there was something from a "local" hardcore band. The walls were lined with Snapcase and Strife shirts, and if memory serves me correctly, they were playing D.R.I. on the overhead. I'm sure most of the fuckers that work there now couldn't even tell you any of those three bands were.
They were geared more towards supporting the smaller scale bands, and more obscure things that weren't so easily accessible, but clearly that wasn't profitable, leaving us with a glorified Toys 'r' Us in a mall setting....
azrielen
04/02/07, 11:34 AM
Maybe Hot Topic should stop putting out unbelieveably ugly 'exclusive' band tees. Then maybe I'd shop there more often. LOL I bought my Fall Out Boy action figure/doll things and some Wrold of Warcraft pins at Hot Topic last Christmas, but besides that I've not shopped there in years. I go in when I'm at a mall, which is rare because I live in NYC and the closest Hot Topic is in Jersey, but I never see anything worth the outrageous prices. It's all just rather generic and poorly made.
straylight70x7
04/02/07, 11:40 AM
hot topic is NOT punk rock
__myheart
04/02/07, 11:41 AM
well unfortunately, I remember walking into a Hot Topic in New Jersey in 99 and everything in there was something from a "local" hardcore band. The walls were lined with Snapcase and Strife shirts, and if memory serves me correctly, they were playing D.R.I. on the overhead. I'm sure most of the fuckers that work there now couldn't even tell you any of those three bands were.
They were geared more towards supporting the smaller scale bands, and more obscure things that weren't so easily accessible, but clearly that wasn't profitable, leaving us with a glorified Toys 'r' Us in a mall setting....
I would love to have a place like that around here.
Daveyhavok832
04/02/07, 11:46 AM
well unfortunately, I remember walking into a Hot Topic in New Jersey in 99 and everything in there was something from a "local" hardcore band. The walls were lined with Snapcase and Strife shirts, and if memory serves me correctly, they were playing D.R.I. on the overhead. I'm sure most of the fuckers that work there now couldn't even tell you any of those three bands were.
They were geared more towards supporting the smaller scale bands, and more obscure things that weren't so easily accessible, but clearly that wasn't profitable, leaving us with a glorified Toys 'r' Us in a mall setting....
well... would you rather struggle with making rent or make a few millions...
Maybe Hot Topic should stop putting out unbelieveably ugly 'exclusive' band tees. Then maybe I'd shop there more often. LOL I bought my Fall Out Boy action figure/doll things and some Wrold of Warcraft pins at Hot Topic last Christmas, but besides that I've not shopped there in years. I go in when I'm at a mall, which is rare because I live in NYC and the closest Hot Topic is in Jersey, but I never see anything worth the outrageous prices. It's all just rather generic and poorly made.
You bought FOB action figures.
You suck.
I think kids are starting to realize how outrageous hot topic's prices are.
They are dropping to like 10 bucks for cds and 15 bucks for shirts soon.
ArmaniMassacre
04/02/07, 12:10 PM
well... would you rather struggle with making rent or make a few millions...
yeah....this could go on all day....hahaha.
of course you'd love to make millions, but then you'd have to sell yourself out and lose all your punk cred.....oh.....they've already done that. guess it's just on to making millions now....
however, I will give them this much...they still carry some decent vinyl, which no one does....at least as far as a major chain goes...
johnarelions
04/02/07, 12:11 PM
hot topic scares me, it's all safety pins and black pants, I just get a bad vibe from it
im 2*Sweet
04/02/07, 12:16 PM
hot topic is NOT punk rock
definitely was my first thought, but then i was listening to the song this morning
C.J. Roberts
04/02/07, 12:19 PM
hot topic grosses me out
ascentofjake
04/02/07, 12:19 PM
As an employee, I can tell you that our prices are definitely dropping soon. CDs are going to be $10 to $13ish, and shirt prices are going down. The first 200 stores are going through a lot of changes, and we're trying to get away from the "gothic" scene and more into the fashion of it all. HT changes with trends, and if people don't like it, then they aren't forced to shop there. Plain and simple.
A lot of kids come in and find out about bands from our store, which is us doing our job. We're spreading the word of music, and trying to get people aware. I don't care if they are 10 or 25, I feel that when people get into the music, it's beneficial in some manner.
captainamazing4
04/02/07, 12:22 PM
hopefully it keeps plumetting muahahaha
OutOfStep187
04/02/07, 12:34 PM
Maybe everyone just figured out that Hot Topic is owned by the Gap and just trying to make money off all the kids who would never shop there? I quit going int ehre a long time ago because every time I went in that store the people who worked there acted they couldn't be more "punk" and I just laughed cause they work for the Gap.
As an employee, I can tell you that our prices are definitely dropping soon. CDs are going to be $10 to $13ish, and shirt prices are going down. The first 200 stores are going through a lot of changes, and we're trying to get away from the "gothic" scene and more into the fashion of it all. HT changes with trends, and if people don't like it, then they aren't forced to shop there. Plain and simple.
A lot of kids come in and find out about bands from our store, which is us doing our job. We're spreading the word of music, and trying to get people aware. I don't care if they are 10 or 25, I feel that when people get into the music, it's beneficial in some manner.
Don't bother trying to reason or explain with most of these teens or kids, or people, they will just bash hot topic because they feel they are cooler than the store and where they shop for clothes or music is far superior than people who shop in hot topic, when in reality, their taste in music sucks anyway...
tm decomposer
04/02/07, 12:58 PM
its because Hot Topic Is Not Punk Rawk
Heroin Robot
04/02/07, 12:58 PM
Maybe Hot Topic should stop putting out unbelieveably ugly 'exclusive' band tees. Then maybe I'd shop there more often. LOL I bought my Fall Out Boy action figure/doll things and some Wrold of Warcraft pins at Hot Topic last Christmas, but besides that I've not shopped there in years. I go in when I'm at a mall, which is rare because I live in NYC and the closest Hot Topic is in Jersey, but I never see anything worth the outrageous prices. It's all just rather generic and poorly made.
LOL you bought fall out boy dolls. jesus christ you need help
ArmaniMassacre
04/02/07, 01:13 PM
LOL you bought fall out boy dolls. jesus christ you need help
I'd buy em just to put them in, ahem, compromising positions. then post pictures of it all over their site....just because Pete wished one day that someone would bend his action figure over and have Darth Vader...
ok i'm gonna stop myself before I go too far....
Indie kids are much more bearable than goths and emo kids.
evilandgood
04/02/07, 01:44 PM
you know where to get the best "scene" clothes:
ROSS
paperthin
04/02/07, 01:53 PM
they need to update they product line, tall leather boots with fire on them and parachute pants are not in any more.
paperthin
04/02/07, 01:54 PM
you know where to get the best "scene" clothes:
ROSS
hahaha
dress for less = punk rawk
AndrewStuart
04/02/07, 01:58 PM
its because Hot Topic Is Not Punk Rawk
Neither is 99% of what gets posted here or anywhere else.
Not that I'm complaining. I've never seen a decent definition for it anyway.
secretninja
04/02/07, 01:58 PM
good!
ArmaniMassacre
04/02/07, 02:02 PM
Neither is 99% of what gets posted here or anywhere else.
Not that I'm complaining. I've never seen a decent definition for it anyway.
punk
usage noun/verb/adjective
def. - anything that wasn't cool 2 seconds ago, therein, what's now punk....now isn't.
luv2laff88
04/02/07, 02:04 PM
I would love to have a place like that around here.
ooh me too
haha i used to be obcessed with hot topic. Thank god im not anymore, id be like a little goth kid that wears spongbob slippers and a darklight hoodie...from hell!
Hot topic has the worst prices. I just go to this huge outlet mall by me and buy clothes from ae and shit like that. it so much cheaper than these bullshit band shirts. Dont get me wrong, i love the bands in there but come on... I mean like the person way up in this post said "They cant make up there mind what scene they want to be" its so true.
Merchnow.com is where its at
badstarsfall
04/02/07, 02:37 PM
Haha. No, kids just stopped getting money from their parents.
xtianheadbanger
04/02/07, 02:48 PM
I think kids are starting to realize how outrageous hot topic's prices are.
hey but they have stuff u cant really buy at other stores
duhpunk
04/02/07, 02:55 PM
the only time i go to hot topic is to see what shirts you can "take an additional 50% off" of. ive gotten some good shirts (Brand New, TBS, Matchbook, etc. ) for like 5 bucks a piece
i12punk
04/02/07, 03:36 PM
hey but they have stuff u cant really buy at other stores
yeah but most of the time it's stuff you STILL wouldn't buy in other stores.
turbonium
04/02/07, 04:01 PM
that all probably is in association with FOB not being at their stores...
actually probably not really... but you get my drift. ( i dont even get my drift )
singlexsorrow
04/02/07, 04:02 PM
Hot Topic is alright i guess..but the thing that bugs me is their prices. a cd for like 15 to 18 bucks is too expensive. however i really like their clearence specials. There are some sick deals on the shirts.
ascentofjake
04/02/07, 04:29 PM
Maybe everyone just figured out that Hot Topic is owned by the Gap and just trying to make money off all the kids who would never shop there? I quit going int ehre a long time ago because every time I went in that store the people who worked there acted they couldn't be more "punk" and I just laughed cause they work for the Gap.
Yeah, Hot Topic is an independently owned company that is in no way affiliated with the GAP. That was an internet rumor. Way to go on that one. Let me start one now:
omgz I hurrd that IAN MACKAYE sold DISCHORD to WARNER BROS RECORDS. omg lollercoaster. hee sould out!
Tellie Norisco
04/02/07, 04:47 PM
I think Hot Topic is slowly killing themselves....they can't figure out which scene they wanna cater to, so they just fill their stores with nonsense that nobody can figure out. I mean, when I walk in and the first thing I see is a Misfits hoodie and some Spongebob shit.....I'm probably not gonna shop their ever again....or is that just me?
Exactly. Somehow, the thought of HotTopic falling makes me feel pleasant.
xidreamofyou32x
04/02/07, 06:36 PM
I think Hot Topic needs a sell a greater variety of band merch, not just Fall Out Boy and Panic At The Disco and The Academy Is. I went in there a month ago and asked someone who worked there if they had any Jack's mannequin t-shirts, and I don't know what she thought I was talking about, because she said "We only get those around the holidays"
ArmaniMassacre
04/02/07, 06:44 PM
I think Hot Topic needs a sell a greater variety of band merch, not just Fall Out Boy and Panic At The Disco and The Academy Is. I went in there a month ago and asked someone who worked there if they had any Jack's mannequin t-shirts, and I don't know what she thought I was talking about, because she said "We only get those around the holidays"
probably Jack Skellington....Nightmare Before Christmas.....although, she's dumb in more than one way, because I've seen them with that shit in there at all times of the year...
slickwataris
04/02/07, 07:27 PM
The selection the last time I went was pretty weak. At least they started hiring cute girls again, I'm sick of the ebm dudes.
heathkliff
04/02/07, 07:56 PM
i enjoy watching the fourteen year old girls bring their scared-to-death mothers inside. only real pleasantry i get from that store.
canvasisabttfld
04/02/07, 08:08 PM
I think you people are stupid. You read one quarters sales results and shit on them. EVERY retail chain goes up and down, including HT. They always have and always will. For every 2% they lose, they will make up ground 6% with new marketing strategies. It's all a business people. Now stop skipping class and learn about this shit.
sofriggencool
04/02/07, 08:44 PM
oh noez. whatever shall we do?
The best thing i ever bought at Hot Topic was a Boys Night Out button on sale for $0.01
oshyjay
04/02/07, 11:29 PM
Yeah, Hot Topic is an independently owned company that is in no way affiliated with the GAP. That was an internet rumor. Way to go on that one. Let me start one now:
omgz I hurrd that IAN MACKAYE sold DISCHORD to WARNER BROS RECORDS. omg lollercoaster. hee sould out!
Really, independently owned?
I heard it was owned by Disney from some of my friends (not the internet btw, lol).
Hmm, that's pretty cool.
Silverstein424
04/03/07, 11:02 AM
lest brit pop and more indie :) more academy is and brand new and the hgiher and this providence and the early novemebr
sofriggencool
04/03/07, 04:34 PM
Really, independently owned?
I heard it was owned by Disney from some of my friends (not the internet btw, lol).
Hmm, that's pretty cool.
someone told me (it was like a long time ago and I can't remember who the person was, which proves how reliable this source is) that it was owned by the same people as abercrombie.
Yes. And?
04/03/07, 07:00 PM
I've never been in Hot Topic and I don't think I ever will. Though it's the only place I can think of that carries My Chem shirts. But still. my mom has been in there. She bought me a skull necklace. It broke.
Yes. And?
04/03/07, 07:01 PM
hot topic is NOT punk rock:-(
Steps&Numbers
04/07/07, 10:54 AM
Glad I don't live in the 'burbs
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