CITY of INDUSTRY, Calif., Nov. 4, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hot Topic, Inc. (Nasdaq:HOTT) today announced the sales results for its fiscal month of October and its fiscal third quarter (four weeks, and thirteen weeks, respectively ended October 31, 2009). A summary of the sales results by division (including internet) is as follows:

                                                     Comparable Store
                                    Net Sales         Sales % Change
                                ------------------  ------------------
                                          % Change
                                   $       To Last    This      Last
                                Millions    Year      Year      Year
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 OCTOBER:
   Hot Topic                      $52.0     -2.5%     -2.6%      8.4%
   Torrid                         $11.6      1.1%     -2.5%      7.8%
   Total Co.                      $63.6     -1.8%     -2.6%      8.3%
 THIRD QUARTER:
   Hot Topic                     $151.0     -5.6%     -5.8%      1.7%
   Torrid                         $38.6      2.9%     -1.4%     -3.0%
   Total Co.                     $189.6     -3.9%     -5.0%      1.0%
 YEAR TO DATE:
   Hot Topic                     $405.6     -0.7%     -1.7%     -0.4%
   Torrid                        $116.9      1.6%     -3.9%     -2.3%
   Total Co.                     $522.5     -0.1%     -2.2%     -0.8%

The company expects its third quarter earnings to be at the high end of its previous guidance of $0.11 to $0.13 per diluted share.

Amy Kocourek has joined the company as Chief Merchandising Officer of the Hot Topic division. Amy will oversee all elements of Hot Topic merchandising including buying, planning and allocation, marketing, store design, visual and hottopic.com. Amy has over 19 years of experience in fashion retail, most recently as Vice President, General Merchandise Manager, Women's Apparel and Accessories for American Eagle Outfitters. From 1996 to 2007, Amy held buying and management positions with the Old Navy division of Gap, Inc. Prior to joining Gap, Inc. she held merchandising positions with Rampage Retail Stores and was the Co-Founder of BAM Accessories. In her role as Hot Topic Chief Merchandising Officer, she will report to Betsy McLaughlin, the Company's Chief Executive Officer.

For more detailed information relating to the above results, please call 626-709-1209 to listen to a recorded commentary. Additionally, a conference call to discuss third quarter results, business trends, guidance and other matters is scheduled for November 18, 2009 at 4:30 PM (ET).