Hot Topic is an American chain store aimed at teenagers and young adults. It has over 690 chain stores across the United States and Puerto Rico, the majority of which are located in shopping malls. The first Hot Topic store was opened in 1988 by Orv Madden. The chain specializes in pop-culture related fashion and merchandise including; clothing, books, comics, jewelry, CDs, records, posters and
other paraphernalia. It also backs major concert festivals like Ozzfest and recently, Sounds Of The Underground. Products from Tripp NYC, Lip Service, Heartcore Clothing and Funhouse are also stocked.

In the past, major bands such as Korn and Good Charlotte have allowed Hot Topic to release their concert wear to the general public before they themselves appear on television or at concerts wearing them. Recently Hot Topic has held in-store "listening parties" for bands such as Marilyn Manson, Avenged Sevenfold, Underoath, My Chemical Romance, Paramore and HIM, so fans could hear their new albums before they were released. Hot Topic has also been a promoter of Jhonen Vasquez and his various projects, including Invader Zim, Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and "Squee".

Hot Topic is also known for having an extensive range of products from the films of Tim Burton. This is particularly exaggerated in The Nightmare Before Christmas memorabilia.

Hot Topic owns and operates a chain of similarly-themed plus-size women's clothing stores, Torrid, which began operations in 2001.

The company produces its own line of clothing, Morbid Threads, whose
products may be found in both chains' stores. Hot Topic was named
number 53 on Fortune 100's Top Companies to Work For list in 2006.

Hot Topic's major rivals in its niche include Spencer's Gifts and Manic Panic.