Maria Comfort Leaves Hot Topic, Inc.

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., July 31, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Hot Topic, Inc.
(Nasdaq:HOTT) announced today that Maria Comfort, formerly the Chief
Merchandising Officer of the company's Hot Topic division, has resigned to
pursue another business opportunity. In addition to her responsibilities as
Chief Executive Officer of Hot Topic, Inc., Betsy McLaughlin will continue to
lead the Hot Topic division.

Hot Topic, Inc. is a shopping mall-based specialty retailer operating the Hot
Topic and Torrid concepts. Hot Topic offers music/pop culture licensed and
influenced apparel, accessories, music and gift items to young men and women
principally between the ages of 12 and 22. Torrid, the company's second concept,
provides plus-size fashion-forward apparel, lingerie, shoes and accessories that
target young women principally between the ages of 15 and 29. As of July 5,
2008, the company operated 683 Hot Topic stores in all 50 states and Puerto
Rico, 157 Torrid stores, and internet stores www.hottopic.com and
www.torrid.com.

Certain statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are
not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Forward-looking statements include
statements regarding the company's future growth and success, ability to execute
its near and long-term goals, operations, projections, and other financial
performance. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including risks
and uncertainties associated with meeting expected financial results,
relationships with mall developers and operators, the risk that available cash
or mall space will not be adequate for planned expansion, fluctuations in sales
and comparable store sales results, risks and uncertainties with respect to new
store openings, new concepts, music and fashion trends, competition from other
retailers, uncertainties generally associated with specialty retailing, the
effect of economic conditions, 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, litigation proceedings and
contingent liabilities, as well as other risks detailed in the company's SEC
reports including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2008. 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. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak
only as of the date on which they were made.

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CONTACT: Hot Topic, Inc., City of Industry, CA
Mr. Jim McGinty, CFO
626-839-4681 x2675