I agree, but that’s the point- that is what kids like nowadays. I’m a kid, 14 actually, though looking back on what people say hot topic was like, I’d probably rather been born in 1995 than 2005-
They’re playing a reunion show in LA. I don’t know if this means they’re back together permanently, could be a 1 time thing. I hope it isn’t. Because I’d like to see MCR before I get too old and die lol
I kinda agree. Being part of the music scene over the years, I've watched Hot Topic evolve to fit their demographic. These days, it seems they have become a more tame, clothing-oriented version of Spencer's.
Or any department store from Nov 26th to Jan 2nd. >.< Or, scarily enough, a Hallmark on Boxer Day, I had to work as security at one, thought I was going to get trampled. >.
Fuck, really? Doesn't Kpop have.... Alot more merch than your average band. That's... Upsetting considering how much space it'll eventually take up in the store alongside the Funko, disney, and harry potter shit. Hell, wouldn't be surprised if they end up replacing half the band section to sell super tiny blind box kpop figures that come in gigantic boxes that even the fans dont want.
This. I grew up in the goth subculture, I never met anyone who actually shopped at Hot Topic unless it was ironically.. We all preferred to repurpose our own clothes from good will and things like that.. Spencer's was good around Halloween, but Hot Topic was carnie crap...
Intimidating? You mean that place with all the My Little Pony shirts, Zelda toys, Disney swimsuits, and Harry Potter clothes? Scariest things there are the prices my dude
I will say that Hot Topic has the best customer service that I've ever experienced. We saw an item in one of their stores, didn't buy it, and then went back to try and find it later, but it was discontinued. The sales staff there called around, found a store that still had it in stock... over a thousand miles away. They had the item shipped to my local store, free of charge, and sold it to us at a discount. From what I can tell, this is not an unheard of occurrence, so they have earned my respect.
They are appealing more to the new alternative groups Teenagers aren't really goth and emo anymore, Kpop and fandom kids are now closer to that big "outsider" label Its pretty interesting
Hot Topic has sort of started serving fandoms as well. You go there for your Harry Potter Overwatch, or anime goods. They also got exclusive permission to sell basic BT21 merch. BTS fans vary in age and are huge consumers, so while older fans can afford to import the plushies and new weekly Converse/Beats/Polaroid collaboration items, younger fans go to Hot Topic to buy the cheaper basic items. Considering BT21 stores are rare, Hot Topic is the only place some people can get those things and same goes for many fandoms.
Spencer's is for bachelorette parties and stoners atleast when i use to shop there. Hot Topic went from for the goth and emo kids to the not like other girls cuz of all the pop culture bs couldnt even find a pair of tripp pants or wallet chains by the end.
Hot Topic became so good at analyzing trends that they stopped being as much of a goth store and became a fandom store (meaning they cater to media franchises with dedicated fanbases). You see this most with their website which has a Pop Culture tab listing what may be a hundred different licenses with tons of products under each.
@@SpittFiire at least makeup stores are targeted to all income demographics. If you wanna feel bad about yourself real fast, go into A&F, or Sharper Image ;)
I feel like hot topic didnt really change, they just adapted to what their main audience is intrested in today, which is what they now sell. They still have alot of what they used to sell, it's just all that stuffs at the back. That's not really a bad thing though. It means they got what the majority wants at the front, and got what the minority wants at the back. I still see alot of people who are clearly into alt stuff go into the stores alot.
Middle school was hot topic and highschool was Spencer’s. I just stopped wearing fandom shirts because my likes and similes change too fast. Spencer’s makes great gag gifts for friends.
I still shop at Hot Topic and I'm in my mid 20s. 👀 They have some cool shirts from bands I like. I feel like Spencer's is the store for people who think they're edgy.
yeah I miss those days of going into Hot Topic and scaring my parents with the stuff I bought. Now I have to go to local mom and dad stores to get my goth fix.
I dont know if its just me but i feel like the "outsider" group gets bigger and more diverse every year. You have the goths ,lolitas, rock music fans, kpoppers, anime fans and more. As these genres evolve some of them become more and more mainstream or "socially acceptable" and it becomes harder to place the line between "outside" and "main stream". And as he explained, hot topic is successful and appealing to a smaller group of people because they like the fact that its not mainstream. For example just from the comments it seems that kpop merchandise can repel heavy metal fans from these stores, and vise versa. Although they are both "outsiders". Basically what im wondering is how Hot Topic will continue to adapt and change when their target audience is adapting and changing as a whole, not just running through diffeeent phases, but a genuinly larger and more diverse audience. -perhaps another reason for their decline?
@@Dumb_Killjoy Metalheads have a long history of hating other subcultures though. Goths, Emos, Hip-Hop... It's like that Willie meme: "Stupid Scots, they ruined Scotland!" (Speaking as a former scene member who only listens to the music these days)
@@ayior usually only Teens and a minority of Hardliner care. I dont care what people Listen to just dort come to me with"i like everything or Metall is just screaming"
Honestly i think they just need larger locations, id go in more often if they weren’t so cramped, and theyd be able to cater to more subcultures which i don’t think is especially bad
I last walked into one in my early 30s, and looked around and had a feeling of "what..what am I even doing in here, at this point?" They don't carry collector figures anymore, so I just felt lost being in there, otherwise.
I was one of those long-haired, skinny jean-wearing teenagers in the '00s who occasionally shopped at Hot Topic. I liked the store because it felt like it was the one place in the mall that was for me. Normal department stores were alienating; they had nothing that interested me. But Hot Topic had merchandise for bands, anime and other relatively obscure media that my friends and I loved. I still stop in a Hot Topic once in a blue moon but it doesn't appeal to me much anymore. They've gone overboard with "nerdy" merchandise, possibly to fill the gap that CDs left. The stores are cluttered with overpriced junk, just like with GameStop nowadays.
That & Abercrombie. In the mall where I lived, you had Hollister on one & the other across from it. I called it the "center of hell", due to the fact you couldn't breathe from the god awful colognes they'd spray in them -_-
The difference between the stores is Spencer's has a more stoner/douchebag vibe....and it has sex toys. Hot Topic is more pop culture with the gothy fringe.
2:24 When I was a teenager I bought one of those metal spike wristbands from Hot Topic and wore it around the mall. The mall cop saw it, claimed it was a weapon, and kicked me out of the mall even though I told him I just bought it from Hot Topic.
Even as a male, I know what you mean. I went in there one day walked directly up to the cashier. I then asked “How much?” the confused cashier looked back at me and asked “How much for what?”. I then said, “For her secret! Name your price! I need to know Victoria’s secret!” The cashier then said “Sir, this is a Wendy’s.” Forgetting how high I was and the entire reason I went there in the first place, I ordered a Baconator combo with a coke with no ice and left.
I can't even look in the general direction of one out of fear of being judged by random strangers who aren't a part of my life and who's opinions shouldn't matter to me.
I will say my parents feel totally out of place whenever they wander in there because they are with me. It just alienates the older demographic. But it's newer presentation is more my style than it probably would have been in the early 2000's when I was 6-9. I'm not huge on stores that look like haunted houses of death.
should have been there in 2005. it was the hardest time trying to convince my father to let me get Tripp pants for 50-75$ a piece. you know the huge baggy pants with zippers and chains and tons of pockets. now everything is buy one get one, and most of the store seems to be catered to the female demographic.
Ive seen old pics of the whole Invader Zim Gir wall online but at the hottopic i go to sadly there's hardly any Invader Zim, just 2 socks which sucks cuz they had way better invader zim stuff years ago like the gir hoodie and backpack plush for example ;-;
@@Yes_Nope I'm sure some of us still have a lot of our IZ merch that we'd be glad to offload to a new fan. I'd send someone my Gir fragrance line collection but it's definitely gone off and smells like socks and sweat now lol.
In high school I had the most amazing Korn shirt that I got at Hot Topic; it just said Korn on the front but the lettering was made out of thick silver glitter. I wish I still had it!
that must been fun i wish i was in highschools in the 80s 90s where they whey used korn shirts alice in chains slipknot all those metal shirts now i feel im in a generation of 2019 where no one cares about metal/rock or even cant where them in schools these days or relate
Seriously! There's actually no cheaper place to get goth clothes back in the day then Hot topic. Kill Star and other modern goth brands are so expensive!
a lotta the goths just grew up and got jobs that afforded them the ability to shop at more expensive niche online places instead of HT, too, so theres that. the demo grows up and wants something that appeals more to adult goth than teen goth sensibilities. goth didnt decline, it just got older and wanted less tripp and more killstar lolol ;w; (i still have yet to own any killstar myself). not to mention how many independent goth shops there are online now on etsy, society6, redbubble, anywhere individuals can set up shop--a lot of aged-up goths i know tend to lean to DIY and shopping from artists like that these days. either way, goth lives on \m/
Some of us are poor af still. I do as much DIY and thrift but the nicer luxury items are way out of my price range. Good for anyone who can pay out of their ass but some of us have circumstances we can't control.
I've been inside an actual adult shop Spencer's is tame compared to an adult shop or pink cherry. That said I'll never forget my trip to the back section of Spencer's when my ex and I were newly together and I was visiting western Massachusetts for the first time. We went into Spencer's because I had only ever visited one ONCE and i wanted to shop there. While his back was turned I went the the back area of Spencer's where I grabbed a cat o'nine tails. I snuck up behind him and next thing you heard was *thwack* and his response "put that back" the look on his face
One of the few places where you can buy a hat with littile dicks sticking out of it. Usually found between the dirty drinking games and the plastic strap-on tits.
in my opinion, zumiez is the most intimidating store at the mall. also im suprised invader zim was never mentioned for this video, wasnt it super popular in hot topic during its time?
KingRandor82 A&F and Hollister aren’t intimidating, they just smell like a cologne factory from the other side of the mall. Also, Sharper Image hasn’t had free standing stores since 1896 anyways (mid to late 2000s but it feels longer). 😉
Whenever I get overwhelmed in the mall I literally retreat into hot topic because it’s so chill compared to other stores where the employees act like they’re trying to hunt you for sport
When I went into hot topic for the first time and it was like stepping through a portal. Everything just stopped, after the initial anxiety it was like I could walk around and just look without people jump scaring me. I actually saw a hardcore alt girl walking through the mall that time I went and her outfit was incredible! I wish I would’ve said something because she seemed really nice and she looked gorgeous.
Hot Topic sells a lot of the anime merch you'd find at conventions. That was the only reason that store popped up on my radar as I'm way out of their marketing demographic.
Millennials don’t shop at hot topic because they’re all like 30 now Edit: I understand some of y’all still shop there, but the number of millennials who do is not what it once was.
Ironically the two biggest hot topic stans I know are somebody who is 30 and somebody who is 37. Both of them were once mall goths who are still into that dark aesthetic shit.
I believe the youngest millennials were born in 1996, so yes, there are still millennials in their 20s. However, if hot topics market demographic ends at 22, then no, they are no longer catering to any millennials.
They’ve shifted toward more internet culture oriented things than just the tastes of the goth/emo subset. It’s seemed pretty natural to me over the years since I started going there to buy MCR merch. They cater to a wide variety of dedicated fan bases that have varying degrees of general popular appeal.
I think its interesting you mention that they are niche because the last time I went in there I remember how "normal" Hot Topic seemed versus how I remember it from the mid-2000's. It seems much more mainstream and they don't seem to cater to the metal crowd like they did in the past.
Chris H dude did you see in the vid what hot topic used to look like? It was a fucking crazy store I used to think it was a haunted house when I was a little kid
I enjoy Hot Topic. I’m not “goth” or anything, I like movies, specifically horror, and it seems like they offer the best variety when it comes to shirts and merchandise. I can see the shift they’ve made from punk to more of memorabilia.
Haunt Former yeah they have focused a lot on videogame fandoms and movies and shows now rather than music artists and punk styles. I'm surprised they're doing so well even in 2019
Yeah that’s why I don’t like hot topic anymore. They have a lot of prissy band tees like panic at the disco and bvb but they also have a bunch of cringy nerdy shit like fnaf and undertale. I wish they were more punk based.
When I was a little kid going to the mall I always thought hot topic was a haunted house and was terrified. Fucking crazy store back then. Just another store now
I feel like hot topic really stopped appealing to the “outsiders” at around 2012-14 (around the redesign) I’ve shopped there since the 00’s and back then it was IMPOSSIBLE to find the band/anime shirts they carried. Anime now takes up the full frontal walls of the store. These days I go to the stores and it seems they’re more obsessed with POP CULTURE than alternative clothing, which is a little sad, at 18 years old I now walk into a hot topic feeling like the way my parents probably did. Seeing the Kpop, pop singers, memes, and drag queens slowly dominate the walls that used to be covered in rock band shirts is very weird. I think they are starting to become more and more disconnected with their shoppers, and it’s becoming very apparent with the giant clearance bins you see lining the stores. Whenever they have those “tell us what bands to put up!” Clipboards hanging around it seems as though everyone else misses the way it used to be too. Whenever I talk about Hot Topic it seems that it’s a place for everyone now, no more people saying “I’m too scared to go into that store!” Because now they can buy the latest pop culture stuff there, just like you can at most other stores.....
I’m pretty sure the clearance is just a marketing trick because that’s so common these days. And I bet their selection has shifted because that’s what sells now. (Because why else) When they started it was the peak of alternative fashion but that’s not the case now. Think of game stop, no one buys their games because they sell them at a ridiculous non competitive price so they shifted focus to merchandise because that appealed to the consumers more. Times change and businesses with it (or they go bankrupt), I think you should understand that.
Hot Topic was my favorite store when I was growing up. I couldn’t afford much from there on my own and my parents weren’t too keen on buying me things from there. But whenever I had birthday money or extra cash I’d try to buy something major from there. It’s weird looking at the store now, I still see it from time to time, and I’ve been in once or twice recently. It feels like there’s a lot more focus on licensed goods and it’s A LOT brighter (which I honestly kind of hate haha) but I’m glad it still exists. Though I feel like it’s a lot less taboo to be different these days.
Krissy Diggs I used to get shirts like the used and blessthefall now it’s all popular people like billi Eilish kinda sad they don’t cater to the metal scene as much anymore. I would love like a kubla Kahn shirt but I will never see a hardcore stuff in there
@@Timconsume321 i mean i don't get trolls... i scrolled through many comments to get here and this is the first i have seen of him and he is harassing another commenter because she's a lady. idk maybe he deserves to be called names.
I've honestly been to hot topic many times and enjoy it, I dont dye my hair and wear goth chains but I enjoy the merchandise they sell and I think the way they came to prominence is genuise
Your vids are addicting man lmao. Seriously though, hella props, through my many years on youtube since a kid, I dont think I've ever seen a channel with videos this in depth AND on such a frequent release schedule. I hope youtubes payin you good. Its funny to look around at all the businesses after watching these videos and knowing about their history. Makes everything seem a lot more human.
”back when i was in highschool 10+years ago, I would've told you the same people who shop at Hot Topic, are the same people who are really into the band MCR...” As a shopper in 2005 this was very true... As an employee In 2019, I assure you this statement is still true. If I get asked about the reunion tour 1 more time this week Ima explode. Also... MANSON is forever
I used to be a huuuge fan of them. Went to see them three times I think. Now I'm just like meh, they're just a bunch of old guys, not unlike what our parents went through! Lol but it's fun to listen to the music again and remember the good old days when we didn't have responsibilities
When I was a teenager (late 90s - early 00's) Hot Topic really catered to that more subversive crowd and particularly the goth crowd. I went through a goth/alternative stage at that time and I remember buying all kinds of clothes and accessories from there and I thought it was such a cool store. My friend LeAnn who was super goth at the time even bought a pair of black angel wings that she paraded around our HS campus in. Over time as my style changed I stopped shopping there but I did pop into one of their stores recently and I was shocked as to how much it changed. Nothing like the store I remember. They still had the band shirts and stuff but a lot of other stuff that Hot Topic never would've carried back in the day. I don't think they really cater to "outsiders" or the alternative set anymore. Now they just go off of latest trends.
Yeah, that's his point exactly. All he's saying is that it's different, and you agree. Which is why I'm confused as to why you seem to be very upset about such a standard observation?
Well there was a Super Size Me American Demographic that pretty much only ate fast food and were near obese if not already. I was in the early stage of what they considered overweight but not obese. Yes teens these days were quite obese at age 10 before they turned 11 way before their teens. Yes the heavier set are deemed invaluable as a public school dating partner. I'm a Male but yes it can send you in a spiraling state of depression. Gals coped their way through with Hot Topic or Spencer's. I'm 22 and I didn't know of a Torrid at the time. I wanted to have a skinny girlfriend. I had one for a week and she left me because I didn't have a car or driver's license yet. I would happily take her back and all the weight I lost after the last time a saw her in person, she has gained from the photos I've looked up on her Facebook. I still see her as a beautiful woman. Part of my change was off to college on campus dorm. If I deserve a skinny gal I needed to be a fraction of myself bettering my fitness first. I went from my Heaviest of 302lb December 2014 46's pants 3xl shirts to my current state of about 225lbs 38's and xl not 1xl. I did reach 190 but I was a ghost of me and jumped back up to 230 slowly. Now I'm in resurrection. I don't need abs but I'm going for flat belly. In short my girlfriend was almost toothpick. Now she's country size a little larger than Megan Trainor.
@@PurplePurplePurple You seem Concerned? I'm not sure what exactly are you concerned about? I was talking about the heavier set Americans and how I used to be one sharing my weight loss progress. Are you assuming I'm anorexic or something. I mentioned that I'm 225. I'm just confused what your concern is about being you're short and vague.
I've worked at Hot Topic, I quit a few months ago. From the perception of my store, it doesn't look like the company was doing great, I constantly got my hours cut and I got paid basically minimum wage. And mind you the mall my store was located at was actually super busy. Anyways I'll tell you the store has definitely changed significantly since I was a kid, my first impression of the Hot Topic was that it was dark and scary and intimidating, but it definitely has spread it's appeal, to the point where I don't really agree with your statement that they primarily serve customers outside the norm, like no, everything in there is more or less mainstream now, but that could be accredited to the fact that "nerd" stuff is cool now. Also, if I had a dime for everytime someone said "oh, this store has changed a lot since I was a teenager" I would not have been making minimum wage. Also, while I like the inclusion of Torrid since 3 of my best friends worked there (they didn't like working there) I'm surprised you didn't include Box Lunch, which is like another sister store to Hot Topic.
Tinkerbell it is very mainstream now I used it see band merch from of mice and men and Memphis May Fire now it’s a lot of pop and rap artist kinda sad they just went with who has more fans don’t even bother shopping there
I had a plus-size goth friend from Germany visit me in about 2004. She was really happy and excited to see that the USA had a shop for plus-sized goths. Most recently I saw a Torrid and observed that while it was still plus-sized it was no longer remotely goth or alternative.
From my experience, you get your hours cut at Hot Topic if your numbers aren’t there 🤷♀️ Hot Topic managers don’t cut hours on employees that can sell and not have to be given constant direction. But again, I don’t know your store or manager. If you’re also a minor, that plays a huge part. You usually have a schedule to work around due to school, usually non reliable transportation, can’t cover lunches for managers since you’re underage and can’t be left alone on the floor, etc. A lot of things play into getting hours cut.
@@iamthenightchild4061 yeah, I figured it may have been that I wasn't doing well in sales, but I constantly tied with the other best seller in the store and I believe I managed to beat her numbers for two weeks. So it wasn't that. I'm not underage either so it wasn't that. I think my manager just really hated me, and I don't know why...
Tinkerbell well if you ever want to, try another Hot Topic location! They are seriously so different from each other (this is coming from someone who’s worked for different locations, different managers, etc) not every store is going to fit a certain person. Hopefully that experience didn’t ruin your view completely!
23 years old I remember when I was a little kid how dark the store was, almost every color inside was black or red, and the main focus was just bands Then they started selling more stuff like invader zim and video game merch a little later Now, it's like walking into a darker thinkgeek, that also sells poorly printed band tees, haha
I’m surprised you didn’t mention their shift away from more of a gothic image after Columbine! I’m a bit outside of their target age range at 26 but I distinctly remember they used to have a heavy gothic vibe back in the day but after Columbine they switched to focusing more on pop culture and nerd culture. I still shop there every now and again because I’m very much still into alternative fashion and nerd culture. But I do miss their old aesthetic, even though I understand why they shied away from it 😢 As far as their perception now vs back in the 90’s I think they’re still very popular, especially with nerd subcultures. Their demographic has changed a lot though. Back in the day anyone who shopped at Hot Topic was considered a poser, though I still knew a ton of emo or goth kids who shopped there, myself included lol. These days they definitely cater more to pop culture and nerds and are very popular with that demographic as well.
then I guess the ones in NJ didn't get the memo cause they were still *very* much that in '05, at least. No the surprising case for me was going into my local one recently, and the gal behind the counter was basically a dead ringer for my former store manager at Suncoast 2 decades ago; it wasn't her, but seriously you would've never otherwise guessed. The hairdo, glasses, being plus-sized, the piercings, the tattoos, everything to a T; no joke.
I stopped shopping there because I didn’t want to be accused of being a poser - I didn’t care if I was accused of being other things ... but a poser? Never!
I’ve shopped at Hot Topic on and off since 2007. I think the biggest thing keeping them going is they’ve continued their trend of looking for new licensed merchandise (Steven Universe), but specifically having official merchandise of anime properties. What’s kept me going back to the store over the years was their legal Studio Ghibli and Sailor Moon merchandise. For a long time, both of those franchises had no official merchandise available for purchase within the US.
I’m 34, and as an emo kid, I frequented Hot Topic in the early 2000’s. I now have a 16 year old stepdaughter who is also an emo kid and enjoys frequenting Hot Topic. My wife and I took her recently, and it was a throwback but also very different in a couple significant ways. There were always listening stations where you could pop headphones on and listen to new albums by alternative/metal/emo bands. You could also poke through a limited but pretty awesome vinyl collection. With its resurgence, I found it surprising they took them away. They would collaborate with bands like The Fall of Troy and release really cool limited records. Basically it is much more pop culture based, with movies and television shows taking over what was known more as a music store where you could also buy that funny t-shirt or where your goth friend got her clothes.
Congrats on the kid and it is nice to hear you are spending quality time together. I am a new dad and used to frequent the old Hot Topic. It was way cooler back in the day.
I still stop in hot topic to look around every time I go to the mall. Sometimes for the nostalgia only. I often times wind out buying something I didn't need because I am a slave to pop culture. I guess that's how they get ya
I haven't clicked a notification that quick in a long time. I absolutely adore hot topic. Online shopping can get insanely expensive in Canada (exchange rate) and most bands sell all their merch online, so Hot Topic is kinda like a sanctuary. It also is a rush when you find a shirt from a band you like, especially if they're not as big or no longer together.
I’m so glad there wasn’t a hot topic in my mall growing up. I was enough of a dweeb already, a studded fingerless glove collection wouldn’t have helped
I've been shopping at Hot Topic since I was 13 when I went through my 'emo phase,' and I'm almost 21. I also had a friend who was huge into the metal and punk scene work at Hot Topic, and my two sisters also like to shop there with me (18 and 16 respectively) and they've been going for just as long as I've been. I've always loved the graphic tees, denim jackets, and jeans as well as the knick-knacks, like the enamel pins or their punk accessories. What gets me though is that they charge so much for lower quality items when it comes to their jewelry, and just overall their prices are nuts. A set of mood rings? $6.50 plus tax. Three choker necklaces? $13.75 plus tax. A foot-long fluffy Pusheen stuffy? $28.50 plus tax. A hoodie denim jacket? $54.99 plus tax. A graphic t-shirt of any size? $22.50 plus tax! I go back to see what they got that's different or if there's something I specifically like, but it's a huge splurge to go there without a goal in mind or a budget. It's also probably a store that is contributing to fast fashion with the poor quality and having it not ethically sourced, which is becoming more and more of a trending issue for some environmentally-conscious people. Although every time I go into a Hot Topic, I also see more people that don't appear to be into that alternative scene coming in to look around. I mean, if you wanted to shop cool shit like that, there are other brands online and overseas that cater to the goth crowd so much better, and there are also smaller specialty stores that have what Hot Topic used to have (i.e. baggy punk pants, underground band shirts, etc.) If you were an employee there, the dress code is pretty laid back but they certainly want you to dress the part of an emo/alternative/punk/goth if you want to label yourself that. I remember my friend saying the hours were sparse and the pay was dogshit but it definitely helped him grow as a person, letting him channel his charisma and confidence into sales and that was recognized by his manager as well as the young girls who shopped there.
Oh the pusheen plushies are 30 bucks everywhere you go. Hot Topic isn’t the only place that’s that expensive, they cost that much at every store I’ve seen them in, including bookstores :(
Growing up, I went through my loner/emo phase back when my local HT had an edgier bend and Nightmare Before Christmas and Invader Zim merch. As the shop was located across from the food court, it gave an intimidating vibe to my family whenever we had lunch. For a while, I wasn’t allowed in, and when I finally was, my mother would stalk me while I was looking through the merch. Definitely not a very comfortable experience, but I was glad to be able to be in there. I have mixed feelings about the current HT. On the one hand, my inner edgelord is disappointed that the alternative stuff is getting pushed more into the background in favor of mainstream fandom stuff. On the other hand, the tamer shift makes it more of a family affair, with me buying the cute/cool alt clothing and the occasional anime tee and jewelry while my sisters shop for Funko Pops... and the occasional anime tee.
32 years old. Me and my wife still shop there, whether it's for Funko pops (especially HT exclusives), clothing, or any collectibles. I also listened to plenty of KoRn and MCR back in the day, and still do.
Hot topic is really different today then years ago, and thats a good thing. They became so good at adapting to trends that they went from catering to the outsiders to the general image of an outsider
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Hot Topic of today is totally different than the old Hot Topic. They’re a fandom store now, not a goth store anymore.
I agree, but that’s the point- that is what kids like nowadays. I’m a kid, 14 actually, though looking back on what people say hot topic was like, I’d probably rather been born in 1995 than 2005-
@@azula2399 every kid wishes they were born in the previous generation.
Being born in 2005 is awkward because I can’t relate to the 2000s kids and can’t relate to the 2010s kids
Cat Y E S
@@azula2399 1998 here and it's the same. any person born in the '05-09' spots are just awkwardly like 'UH, WHERE DO WE SIT.'
Hot Topic 2006: Wall of band t shirts
Hot Topic 2019: Wall of funko pops
They still have a wall of band T-shirt’s
They tell me all the time people turning forty can shop there anytime they want!
DearMaria they’re not even that cute
I got your picture
I’m coming with you
Dear Maria Count me in 🎼
we still got two walls of band t shirts
It was all downhill as soon as they turned the lights on.
Duke Nukem FR 😔
I don’t really think it’s bad, it’s just different.
Ikr
At least you can see shit now...
They probably did that to discourage theft
Their customer service is actually outstanding, even if they look a bit intimidating. I enjoy visiting those stores.
Lmao honestly most emo, punk and goth people are very nice people. They just like to dress dark.
whenever I go, the workers are always so nice to me probably cuz it's a relaxed job
a strict work environment can really kill your love of a job
they always have some girls with neon dyed hair and piercings all over their faces and they're all so so sweet 🥺
@@TECfan1 yup!
Yep! Love the customer service I've never felt out of place or ignored in there.
Now that MCR and Rage Against the Machine are back they’re about to have a boom year
MCR back together??
They’re playing a reunion show in LA. I don’t know if this means they’re back together permanently, could be a 1 time thing. I hope it isn’t. Because I’d like to see MCR before I get too old and die lol
I thought those were rumors, well, that would be cool. I would cry if RATM got back tho
@@azula2399 it's true, no rumours
HR TheFlameBladesWielder AhhhhhhhhHHHHH
“One of the most intimidating stores in the mall”-a man who’s never been in Spencer’s
I really hate making up names for this kind of stuff duh
I can confirm this statement
I kinda agree. Being part of the music scene over the years, I've watched Hot Topic evolve to fit their demographic. These days, it seems they have become a more tame, clothing-oriented version of Spencer's.
Went to the comments to say this same thing lol. You never forget your first Spencer's...
Or any department store from Nov 26th to Jan 2nd. >.< Or, scarily enough, a Hallmark on Boxer Day, I had to work as security at one, thought I was going to get trampled. >.
Company Man: talks about My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance a day later: we back
Can't believe u reunited MCR
You're welcome.
@@companyman114 a true LEGEND, I salute u sir
Omg😂
@@companyman114 thanks
Too bad they won't be playing where I live :(
“Hot Topic wouldn’t sell stuff that was too popular”
Hot Topic: sweats in MHA and Marvel
To be fair at the time were they thought about selling it anime wasn’t really popular and was considered niche
They *only* sell popular things now, I swear. Unless BTS and Harry Potter are suddenly unpopular?
Anime was pretty niche when they started selling it. I remember when hot topic was just about the only store you could find any anime merch in.
And fucking anime 💔💔💔
@@voidtapwater4676 Is that a problem?
Now they're branching to Kpop, and considering how hard it can be to get merch in physical stores, it's gonna keep them alive for a bit longer
Fuck, really? Doesn't Kpop have.... Alot more merch than your average band. That's... Upsetting considering how much space it'll eventually take up in the store alongside the Funko, disney, and harry potter shit. Hell, wouldn't be surprised if they end up replacing half the band section to sell super tiny blind box kpop figures that come in gigantic boxes that even the fans dont want.
Carbon / Kidou Yuuto what do u mean Kpop figures I have never seen those before ?
@@madlingmsp1183 Blindbag figures, chibi style keychains, hell, Matell has made DOLLS for BTS.
there's a whole wall dedicated to those damn bunnies or whatever and the girls that get them are always rude af for some reason
so far it's just been BT21 and that's not even kpop, but that's just a start
I’m gonna make my comment from a different approach from many here: I’ve always been struck by how cool most Hot Topic employees are.
thank you so much🖤🖤🖤
Oh, TOTALLY.
True,those are the nicest employees ever
there really kind and there lanyards are cool
theyre always so nice
"Only scary store in the mall"
You forgot about Spencer's...
Shawn Stafford correct
Spencer’s isn’t scary tho you’re just a little b**ch
The back wall 😟🙀🙀
True
I remember when ai was in high school one of my sisters called it "that spooky store." Lol
I wouldn’t say they cater to the outsiders I’d say they cater to an image of an outsider that a lot of people identify with.
As someone who worked there, I can honestly say *yes,* that's exactly it. They do *not* care about their customers, they merely use them.
Benjamin Gentile boom yep
"If you want be one of the nonconformists, all you have to do is dress just like us and listen to the same music we do."
Benjamin Gentile They cater to Idiots.
This. I grew up in the goth subculture, I never met anyone who actually shopped at Hot Topic unless it was ironically.. We all preferred to repurpose our own clothes from good will and things like that.. Spencer's was good around Halloween, but Hot Topic was carnie crap...
Intimidating? You mean that place with all the My Little Pony shirts, Zelda toys, Disney swimsuits, and Harry Potter clothes?
Scariest things there are the prices my dude
Before all that, it was a dark and loud store that only the bravest ventured into.
Seriously? Man, that place *has* changed!
and the Squishmallows 😂😂😂
true
looks like someone didn't make it past the 46 second mark
I will say that Hot Topic has the best customer service that I've ever experienced. We saw an item in one of their stores, didn't buy it, and then went back to try and find it later, but it was discontinued. The sales staff there called around, found a store that still had it in stock... over a thousand miles away. They had the item shipped to my local store, free of charge, and sold it to us at a discount. From what I can tell, this is not an unheard of occurrence, so they have earned my respect.
'most intimidating/scary part of the mall'
the back of spencers:
oh no
Nordstrom
Lava lamps and sex toys
I mean, for some, it's the funnest part of the store😏
I remember when hot topic sold piercings and goth memorabilia and blasted screamo. Now it’s BTS and fandom merch
They still sell piercings
They are appealing more to the new alternative groups
Teenagers aren't really goth and emo anymore, Kpop and fandom kids are now closer to that big "outsider" label
Its pretty interesting
Gotta appeal to the stuff that kids like now. Forever 21 didn't do that and look what happened to them lol
wait did ur hot topics used to have an area for hairdye and studded belts, now they don’t sell that stuff anymore😬
demolition lovers the one near me still sells those, along with piercings
Hot Topic has sort of started serving fandoms as well. You go there for your Harry Potter Overwatch, or anime goods. They also got exclusive permission to sell basic BT21 merch. BTS fans vary in age and are huge consumers, so while older fans can afford to import the plushies and new weekly Converse/Beats/Polaroid collaboration items, younger fans go to Hot Topic to buy the cheaper basic items. Considering BT21 stores are rare, Hot Topic is the only place some people can get those things and same goes for many fandoms.
aka the only place that acknowledged homestuck
I mean the store is called "Hot Topic" so Ive always thought they tried to cater to whatever in the alternative scene is the
'hot topic'
“There’s no store like Hot Topic”
Spencer’s is just Hot Topic for people that prefer tie dye shirts over black band shirts
Spencer's doesn't sell Pops.
Otherwise, sure it's similar.
Spencer's is for bachelorette parties and stoners atleast when i use to shop there. Hot Topic went from for the goth and emo kids to the not like other girls cuz of all the pop culture bs couldnt even find a pair of tripp pants or wallet chains by the end.
And instead of pops its dildoes
Spencer's also owns Spirit Halloween, so they kind of have that vibe going on over in those stores when they're around for the season.
Eric Zetterlund pops are dumb
Hot Topic became so good at analyzing trends that they stopped being as much of a goth store and became a fandom store (meaning they cater to media franchises with dedicated fanbases). You see this most with their website which has a Pop Culture tab listing what may be a hundred different licenses with tons of products under each.
The Louis Vuitton store is more intimidating than hot topic, I feel I can relate to the hot topic crowd more than I can the Louis Vuitton snobs
you're forgetting The Sharper Image, or Abercrombie & Fitch ;)
Mike Shoe exactly!!! Hot Topic always has nice, friendly customer service compared to most stores at the mall.
Any makeup/beauty stores are always intimidating af.
@@SpittFiire at least makeup stores are targeted to all income demographics. If you wanna feel bad about yourself real fast, go into A&F, or Sharper Image ;)
Mike Shoe not everyone who has lv is mean
I feel like hot topic didnt really change, they just adapted to what their main audience is intrested in today, which is what they now sell. They still have alot of what they used to sell, it's just all that stuffs at the back. That's not really a bad thing though. It means they got what the majority wants at the front, and got what the minority wants at the back. I still see alot of people who are clearly into alt stuff go into the stores alot.
Agrred
They are going to have record sales now that MCR is back together
I just went yesterday and there was a whole shelf full of MCR stuff
Your Average Music Person LMAO
Hot Topic: Middle School and High School kids
Spencer's: College kids
its the other way around
What about the 9-to-5ers?? Haha just joking! We get Walmart. How depressing!
Middle school was hot topic and highschool was Spencer’s. I just stopped wearing fandom shirts because my likes and similes change too fast. Spencer’s makes great gag gifts for friends.
I still shop at Hot Topic and I'm in my mid 20s. 👀 They have some cool shirts from bands I like. I feel like Spencer's is the store for people who think they're edgy.
Except when the younglings go into Spencer’s to giggle at everything
Spencers is way more intimidating, hot topic has gone soft
no, they're just *confusing* to people as they grow up, not intimidating. Sharper Image and Abercrombie: THOSE are intimidating
Spencer’s is just filled with douche bags, who laugh at the sex toys 😂
Tina Dee your so right 😂
Spencer's is where I buy Ouija boards
Hilarious how Spencer’s has changed
“Most intimidating store in the mall”
Justice: 😔😔
Claire's is WAY more intimidating
osh gosh b'gosh is fucking terrifying
Spencer's be out here
You should see the things they do in auntie Anne’s
I think we can all agree that Justice is emo hell.
I actually like that they cater to fandoms, but I wish it still kept its goth edge to the same extent.
They should still keep its goth edge... I personally am no goth for style... but it’s gotta at least stay in for what is part of hot topic...
Shop their online store, just got some gothic platform boots with bat wings on them just last month.
yeah I miss those days of going into Hot Topic and scaring my parents with the stuff I bought. Now I have to go to local mom and dad stores to get my goth fix.
Yes I'm an alt anime fan and I love buying anime stuff and marvel stuff but its sad there not as much alt stuff
The goth style is no where near as profitable and big as it was so I don't see why they would go back to being nearly one hundred percent goth again
I dont know if its just me but i feel like the "outsider" group gets bigger and more diverse every year. You have the goths ,lolitas, rock music fans, kpoppers, anime fans and more. As these genres evolve some of them become more and more mainstream or "socially acceptable" and it becomes harder to place the line between "outside" and "main stream". And as he explained, hot topic is successful and appealing to a smaller group of people because they like the fact that its not mainstream. For example just from the comments it seems that kpop merchandise can repel heavy metal fans from these stores, and vise versa. Although they are both "outsiders". Basically what im wondering is how Hot Topic will continue to adapt and change when their target audience is adapting and changing as a whole, not just running through diffeeent phases, but a genuinly larger and more diverse audience. -perhaps another reason for their decline?
That thing about kpop driving metalheads away is true. There is a MASSIVE difference between the two.
@@Dumb_Killjoy Metalheads have a long history of hating other subcultures though. Goths, Emos, Hip-Hop... It's like that Willie meme: "Stupid Scots, they ruined Scotland!" (Speaking as a former scene member who only listens to the music these days)
@@ayior True
@@ayior usually only Teens and a minority of Hardliner care. I dont care what people Listen to just dort come to me with"i like everything or Metall is just screaming"
Honestly i think they just need larger locations, id go in more often if they weren’t so cramped, and theyd be able to cater to more subcultures which i don’t think is especially bad
I thought that's why they where called "hot topic" bc they sell the topic that's hot at the time.
i tought the same
It makes sense
they have to evolve, can't just sell emo, goth and my chemical romance related things forever
www.etsy.com/shop/ECGDesigns?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
Excellent point
i wish hot topic was still big in the goth scene instead of having funko pops and disney merch
Maximo Darkstar same tbh
same
Same. Its one of the only physical places where I can actually get band tees, but now there's like no room for them anymore with all the other stuff
Same but my local hot topic sells mostly sex toys such as 13 inch dildos and pocket pussys
Same but if they were to do that then they will go out of business
"They got everything a suicidal preteen could ever want! Except for parents that listen."
-Foxxy Love (Drawn Together)
Yo....no one is even mentioning BoxLunch: Hot Topic's little brother.
They’re the sweeter version of Hot Topic 😂
I only just found out about box lunch like 3 months ago because my girlfriend buys her loungefly bags from there
Omfg I was looking for this comment
At least Ruby Gloom has a home now.
SUPER Weenie Hut Juniors??
Spencer’s disturbs me on a deep emotional level
I last walked into one in my early 30s, and looked around and had a feeling of "what..what am I even doing in here, at this point?" They don't carry collector figures anymore, so I just felt lost being in there, otherwise.
spensers and the puppy mill store are the only stores i refuse to enter in the mall
Weenie
I was one of those long-haired, skinny jean-wearing teenagers in the '00s who occasionally shopped at Hot Topic. I liked the store because it felt like it was the one place in the mall that was for me. Normal department stores were alienating; they had nothing that interested me. But Hot Topic had merchandise for bands, anime and other relatively obscure media that my friends and I loved.
I still stop in a Hot Topic once in a blue moon but it doesn't appeal to me much anymore. They've gone overboard with "nerdy" merchandise, possibly to fill the gap that CDs left. The stores are cluttered with overpriced junk, just like with GameStop nowadays.
Remember when artists would release hot topic exclusive cds?
@@wendyokoopa7048 I don't, but that doesn't surprise me!
This was GameStop for me
The nerdy merch is “hot topics” in pop culture, they just decided to lean into all the hot topic of pop culture
Wendy O Koopa I wonder how much they’re worth noe
Hollister is just as intimidating as far as I'm concerned
the people who shopped at Holister when I was growing up are the kind of people who beat me up
@@jabber1990 right. Which may be a contributing factor in its intimidation
That & Abercrombie. In the mall where I lived, you had Hollister on one & the other across from it. I called it the "center of hell", due to the fact you couldn't breathe from the god awful colognes they'd spray in them -_-
Austin Hibdon I 10000% agree lol I always felt right at home at Hot Topic lol
The smell of douche coming from that store is strong.
All the comments:
“Hot topic changed”
All the comments in 2030:
“Hot topic changed”
2030: the store used to be so bright and sell my fav anime what happened
Golias Malachi very sad they don’t sell my favorite Rick and Morty funky pop anymore :(
It's based on change, that's the point
“hot topic is unlike any other store that exists” *Spencer’s is quaking*
The difference between the stores is Spencer's has a more stoner/douchebag vibe....and it has sex toys. Hot Topic is more pop culture with the gothy fringe.
stole a dildo from Spencer’s once that was fun
worm will they tell you to bring it back when ur done
@@Dxgma May I ask how you lifted it? Where did you hide it when you snuck it out of the store?
Dalton Uber I don’t think you want to know the answer....😂😂😂
2:24 When I was a teenager I bought one of those metal spike wristbands from Hot Topic and wore it around the mall. The mall cop saw it, claimed it was a weapon, and kicked me out of the mall even though I told him I just bought it from Hot Topic.
Why was the cop such a butt???
oceanblackkdog Jealously
@@oceanblackkdog He wished he was younger
Lol!!! I feel for you bud.
Hi Brandon, nice to see you're alive
This is the store that Ebony Dark’Ness Dementia Raven Way would shop at.
but now only POSERS shoop theres xxx
The Hogsmede location
@@pee2829 you mean PREPS who can't stop flaming?
Ash Kitt dint got prissed prep
Ash Kitt I hate that I know what this is
Honestly? The name of the store is literally “Hot Topic” I wouldn’t be surprised if they catered to new trends and hot topics yk
Everyone talking about how intimidating Hot Topic and Spencer’s are, but as a self conscious female let me introduce you to Victoria’s Secret
Even as a male, I know what you mean. I went in there one day walked directly up to the cashier. I then asked “How much?” the confused cashier looked back at me and asked “How much for what?”. I then said, “For her secret! Name your price! I need to know Victoria’s secret!” The cashier then said “Sir, this is a Wendy’s.” Forgetting how high I was and the entire reason I went there in the first place, I ordered a Baconator combo with a coke with no ice and left.
@@how2biznuttz356 how high were you when you wrote this
@@how2biznuttz356 marry me
as a gay girl, agreed
I can't even look in the general direction of one out of fear of being judged by random strangers who aren't a part of my life and who's opinions shouldn't matter to me.
The most intimidating part of Hot Topic for me is trying to convince my mom to let me go in to buy Funko Pops with its “scary music”.
Just tell her the people are super nice even my grandma likes it in there
When I shopped there my mom would sit outside until it came time to pay
I will say my parents feel totally out of place whenever they wander in there because they are with me. It just alienates the older demographic. But it's newer presentation is more my style than it probably would have been in the early 2000's when I was 6-9. I'm not huge on stores that look like haunted houses of death.
That was my mom before but then she warmed up to it when she saw the employees were actually really nice and she saw some funny stuff inside
should have been there in 2005. it was the hardest time trying to convince my father to let me get Tripp pants for 50-75$ a piece. you know the huge baggy pants with zippers and chains and tons of pockets. now everything is buy one get one, and most of the store seems to be catered to the female demographic.
"there's no other store like Hot Topic"
Spencer's: "Hold My Anime Hoodie"
*aheago hoodie*
Hold my dildo. Is what Spencer’s would say
Love it
Spencer’s is just Hot Topic but they can put the word “fuck” on a t-shirt
their clothes are always way cheaper than hottopic's they aren't worth it tbh
I was under the impression Invader Zim had kept them afloat for the last 18 years.
Yeah
Ive seen old pics of the whole Invader Zim Gir wall online but at the hottopic i go to sadly there's hardly any Invader Zim, just 2 socks which sucks cuz they had way better invader zim stuff years ago like the gir hoodie and backpack plush for example ;-;
@@Yes_Nope I'm sure some of us still have a lot of our IZ merch that we'd be glad to offload to a new fan. I'd send someone my Gir fragrance line collection but it's definitely gone off and smells like socks and sweat now lol.
I remember those Korn tshirts...everyone had one in high school
Torrid is the bomb too. I had forgotten they were a hot topic company
Torrid has onesies right now and it's really taking restraint for me to not buy more than the one I already have....
In high school I had the most amazing Korn shirt that I got at Hot Topic; it just said Korn on the front but the lettering was made out of thick silver glitter. I wish I still had it!
@@MrsRen TELL ME ABOUT IT!! 🤣🤣
@@tamcar04 Their clearance is where most of my clothes come from. Because buying full price just isn't me...
that must been fun i wish i was in highschools in the 80s 90s where they whey used korn shirts alice in chains slipknot all those metal shirts now i feel im in a generation of 2019 where no one cares about metal/rock or even cant where them in schools these days or relate
“The goth scene they were a part of was apparently declining”
The goths just found cheaper places to shop
Brit McGinnis
because dollskill is considered cheap ig lmfao
Seriously! There's actually no cheaper place to get goth clothes back in the day then Hot topic. Kill Star and other modern goth brands are so expensive!
Jessica Sparkles
right ? like I'm not paying 80 bucks for a T S H I R T
a lotta the goths just grew up and got jobs that afforded them the ability to shop at more expensive niche online places instead of HT, too, so theres that. the demo grows up and wants something that appeals more to adult goth than teen goth sensibilities. goth didnt decline, it just got older and wanted less tripp and more killstar lolol ;w; (i still have yet to own any killstar myself). not to mention how many independent goth shops there are online now on etsy, society6, redbubble, anywhere individuals can set up shop--a lot of aged-up goths i know tend to lean to DIY and shopping from artists like that these days. either way, goth lives on \m/
Some of us are poor af still. I do as much DIY and thrift but the nicer luxury items are way out of my price range. Good for anyone who can pay out of their ass but some of us have circumstances we can't control.
Mans really missing out talking about Hot Topic instead of the back of Spencer's
Now that's "Hot Topic"
i went there with my mom once. ONCE.
I've been inside an actual adult shop Spencer's is tame compared to an adult shop or pink cherry. That said I'll never forget my trip to the back section of Spencer's when my ex and I were newly together and I was visiting western Massachusetts for the first time. We went into Spencer's because I had only ever visited one ONCE and i wanted to shop there. While his back was turned I went the the back area of Spencer's where I grabbed a cat o'nine tails. I snuck up behind him and next thing you heard was *thwack* and his response "put that back" the look on his face
One of the few places where you can buy a hat with littile dicks sticking out of it. Usually found between the dirty drinking games and the plastic strap-on tits.
I worked at Spencer's and damn, you haven't lived until you have had an old lady ask you which vibrator would be the best choice for her.
in my opinion, zumiez is the most intimidating store at the mall. also im suprised invader zim was never mentioned for this video, wasnt it super popular in hot topic during its time?
Man I remembered I used to have a 2xl gir shirt back then in 2011 but that was 2000s and early 2010s hot topic
...and then MCR reunites the next day.
This is perfect timing if I've ever seen it.
the most intimidating store in the mall is obviously brandy melville
both Sharper Image *and* Abercrombie & Fitch: "Hold my 1896 Chardonnay!"
I’m not afraid of dildos from Spencer’s but I am afraid of the teenagers judging me at brandy Melville.
KingRandor82 A&F and Hollister aren’t intimidating, they just smell like a cologne factory from the other side of the mall.
Also, Sharper Image hasn’t had free standing stores since 1896 anyways (mid to late 2000s but it feels longer). 😉
I used to see you everywhere in the comment section, did you leave for a fat minute or am I crazy 😳
I use to see you all the time in alr videos
The MySpace goth child in me cried tears of joy. 😭
Whenever I get overwhelmed in the mall I literally retreat into hot topic because it’s so chill compared to other stores where the employees act like they’re trying to hunt you for sport
When I went into hot topic for the first time and it was like stepping through a portal. Everything just stopped, after the initial anxiety it was like I could walk around and just look without people jump scaring me. I actually saw a hardcore alt girl walking through the mall that time I went and her outfit was incredible! I wish I would’ve said something because she seemed really nice and she looked gorgeous.
You forgot to mention how they have a lot of anime merch. The only reason I went to hot topic was for the anime stuff 😂😂
Soul Dad I did that too😂 Now I’m more into their band & netflix stuff at the moment tho.
Soul Dad same. If they didn’t change the style. I probably would’ve have never occasionally gone to shop there.
Same
Hot Topic sells a lot of the anime merch you'd find at conventions. That was the only reason that store popped up on my radar as I'm way out of their marketing demographic.
Back when it was somewhat more of a goth store with the red logo it was still a great place to get nerd interest stuff.
Millennials don’t shop at hot topic because they’re all like 30 now
Edit: I understand some of y’all still shop there, but the number of millennials who do is not what it once was.
Ironically the two biggest hot topic stans I know are somebody who is 30 and somebody who is 37. Both of them were once mall goths who are still into that dark aesthetic shit.
Ok boomer
My mom still shops there with me for Tim burton merch
ebony b no, they’re not. Gen z was born 1997 and after. Millennials were born from 1981-1996.
I believe the youngest millennials were born in 1996, so yes, there are still millennials in their 20s. However, if hot topics market demographic ends at 22, then no, they are no longer catering to any millennials.
I went to Hot Topic yesterday, it’s still a fun store and there’s a good amount of people in there
They’ve shifted toward more internet culture oriented things than just the tastes of the goth/emo subset. It’s seemed pretty natural to me over the years since I started going there to buy MCR merch. They cater to a wide variety of dedicated fan bases that have varying degrees of general popular appeal.
I think its interesting you mention that they are niche because the last time I went in there I remember how "normal" Hot Topic seemed versus how I remember it from the mid-2000's. It seems much more mainstream and they don't seem to cater to the metal crowd like they did in the past.
I think you just got older and have seen more of the world.
Chris H dude did you see in the vid what hot topic used to look like? It was a fucking crazy store I used to think it was a haunted house when I was a little kid
"hot topic is by far the most intimidating store in the mall"
aeropostale, abercrombe & fitch, and brandy melville: HOLD MY CASH
bed bath and beyond is like a portal straight to hell
Don't forget about Spencers 😂
@@platenoise256 At least it isn't a literal maze
*cough* IKEA *cough*
Dont forget Hollister
Today I learned that Hot Topic is still alive.
Alain and thriving by what i see.
There wouldn't be Raiding Area 51 without Hot Topic selling Naruto stuff to weebs
They're alive as long as there are emos and depressed teenagers, which is probably increasing in numbers for a variety of reasons.
The name implies it all, they sell what's trendy and change with the times, all without losing that edge.
Yep
still wishing HT would go back to the heavy alternative style they had. 10/10 would start getting more sales considering the style is coming back up.
I enjoy Hot Topic. I’m not “goth” or anything, I like movies, specifically horror, and it seems like they offer the best variety when it comes to shirts and merchandise. I can see the shift they’ve made from punk to more of memorabilia.
Haunt Former yeah they have focused a lot on videogame fandoms and movies and shows now rather than music artists and punk styles. I'm surprised they're doing so well even in 2019
Very true. Company Man could cover malls in general. I’d be fascinated to learn about that landscape and how it’s doing.
Yeah that’s why I don’t like hot topic anymore. They have a lot of prissy band tees like panic at the disco and bvb but they also have a bunch of cringy nerdy shit like fnaf and undertale. I wish they were more punk based.
Haunt Former I did not expect to see you here haha I just watched your Michael Myers mask review.
When I was a little kid going to the mall I always thought hot topic was a haunted house and was terrified. Fucking crazy store back then. Just another store now
I feel like hot topic really stopped appealing to the “outsiders” at around 2012-14 (around the redesign) I’ve shopped there since the 00’s and back then it was IMPOSSIBLE to find the band/anime shirts they carried. Anime now takes up the full frontal walls of the store. These days I go to the stores and it seems they’re more obsessed with POP CULTURE than alternative clothing, which is a little sad, at 18 years old I now walk into a hot topic feeling like the way my parents probably did. Seeing the Kpop, pop singers, memes, and drag queens slowly dominate the walls that used to be covered in rock band shirts is very weird. I think they are starting to become more and more disconnected with their shoppers, and it’s becoming very apparent with the giant clearance bins you see lining the stores. Whenever they have those “tell us what bands to put up!” Clipboards hanging around it seems as though everyone else misses the way it used to be too. Whenever I talk about Hot Topic it seems that it’s a place for everyone now, no more people saying “I’m too scared to go into that store!” Because now they can buy the latest pop culture stuff there, just like you can at most other stores.....
It seems now that small specialty stores are the only way to keep the spirit of the old store alive :(
Spencers gifts for kids who think billie elish caused their fake depression. Thats hot topic now.
Make America emo again
I’m pretty sure the clearance is just a marketing trick because that’s so common these days. And I bet their selection has shifted because that’s what sells now. (Because why else) When they started it was the peak of alternative fashion but that’s not the case now.
Think of game stop, no one buys their games because they sell them at a ridiculous non competitive price so they shifted focus to merchandise because that appealed to the consumers more.
Times change and businesses with it (or they go bankrupt), I think you should understand that.
Jonna Mustonen Game Stop is struggling, the pop culture junk is cash grab attempt which seems to be failing.
They’re a pop culture store these days. I didn’t shop there in my teens or 20s but I buy occasionally in my 30s. I think they’re doing fine
SPEAK OF THE DEVIL, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE JUST ANNOUNCED THEIR RETURN
Adela Ramos I can’t ruin the Like ratio damn
Hot Topic was my favorite store when I was growing up. I couldn’t afford much from there on my own and my parents weren’t too keen on buying me things from there. But whenever I had birthday money or extra cash I’d try to buy something major from there.
It’s weird looking at the store now, I still see it from time to time, and I’ve been in once or twice recently. It feels like there’s a lot more focus on licensed goods and it’s A LOT brighter (which I honestly kind of hate haha) but I’m glad it still exists. Though I feel like it’s a lot less taboo to be different these days.
Krissy Diggs I used to get shirts like the used and blessthefall now it’s all popular people like billi Eilish kinda sad they don’t cater to the metal scene as much anymore. I would love like a kubla Kahn shirt but I will never see a hardcore stuff in there
Stellvia Hoenheim don’t be a dick, we are all people here.
C'mon man, calling Stellvia a name back doesn't make you look any better, one love
@Stellvia Hoenheim You do not deserve to have the godly Rich Evans as your pfp
@@Timconsume321 i mean i don't get trolls... i scrolled through many comments to get here and this is the first i have seen of him and he is harassing another commenter because she's a lady. idk maybe he deserves to be called names.
I've honestly been to hot topic many times and enjoy it, I dont dye my hair and wear goth chains but I enjoy the merchandise they sell and I think the way they came to prominence is genuise
Your vids are addicting man lmao. Seriously though, hella props, through my many years on youtube since a kid, I dont think I've ever seen a channel with videos this in depth AND on such a frequent release schedule. I hope youtubes payin you good. Its funny to look around at all the businesses after watching these videos and knowing about their history. Makes everything seem a lot more human.
”back when i was in highschool 10+years ago, I would've told you the same people who shop at Hot Topic, are the same people who are really into the band MCR...”
As a shopper in 2005 this was very true... As an employee In 2019, I assure you this statement is still true.
If I get asked about the reunion tour 1 more time this week Ima explode.
Also... MANSON is forever
Have you exploded yet? xD
My Chemical Emotions we put the reunion merch window cling up on monday... My boss lemme sit that 1 out
@@La_br00tal_mija I guess you're trying to keep your sanity? I'd honestly be so happy to hear about others being happy about the reunion.
I used to be a huuuge fan of them. Went to see them three times I think. Now I'm just like meh, they're just a bunch of old guys, not unlike what our parents went through! Lol but it's fun to listen to the music again and remember the good old days when we didn't have responsibilities
I feel like the Internet has had a huge impact on them. Back in the day, it was impossible to find band merch. Now, it is a click away.
This is like my most favorite mall store and I still go there quite a bit even at age 31 cuz they have a great selection of gaming shirts and merch.
Same here. They and Spencer's.
Their t-shirts are expensive though
@@swiftfated True, but they tie in BOGO deals that can sometimes help.
@@swiftfated a lot of their stuff is and that's both chains.
I'm 32 and still shop there lol. They used to have a better punk rock band tee selection though.
the ultimate "dad you just don't understand" store.
I'm 40 and I still go there sometimes for nerd related shirts.
Over the years:
Goth>emo>e-boy/girl
I can tell that I'm going from emo to goth. Or just becoming them both at once. The ultimate power.
That's trends for you
When I was a teenager (late 90s - early 00's) Hot Topic really catered to that more subversive crowd and particularly the goth crowd. I went through a goth/alternative stage at that time and I remember buying all kinds of clothes and accessories from there and I thought it was such a cool store. My friend LeAnn who was super goth at the time even bought a pair of black angel wings that she paraded around our HS campus in. Over time as my style changed I stopped shopping there but I did pop into one of their stores recently and I was shocked as to how much it changed. Nothing like the store I remember. They still had the band shirts and stuff but a lot of other stuff that Hot Topic never would've carried back in the day. I don't think they really cater to "outsiders" or the alternative set anymore. Now they just go off of latest trends.
HoT tOpIc Is ToAtAlLy DiFfErAnT tOdAy ThEn 10 YeArS aGo.
Yes. Its called Hot Topic. Not nostalgia inc. Things change.
Yeah, that's his point exactly. All he's saying is that it's different, and you agree. Which is why I'm confused as to why you seem to be very upset about such a standard observation?
I feel that you're the type of person that constantly brags about his SAT scores
Id love a nostalgia inc tho
yeah ikr. These old fucks around the comments acting like they would still go in to buy the goth stuff when they obviously had gotten over "the phase"
So he’s not allowed to discuss the evolution of the brand despite that being the point of the video?
"they noticed their large clothes were selling"
top kek
Well there was a Super Size Me American Demographic that pretty much only ate fast food and were near obese if not already. I was in the early stage of what they considered overweight but not obese. Yes teens these days were quite obese at age 10 before they turned 11 way before their teens. Yes the heavier set are deemed invaluable as a public school dating partner. I'm a Male but yes it can send you in a spiraling state of depression. Gals coped their way through with Hot Topic or Spencer's. I'm 22 and I didn't know of a Torrid at the time. I wanted to have a skinny girlfriend. I had one for a week and she left me because I didn't have a car or driver's license yet. I would happily take her back and all the weight I lost after the last time a saw her in person, she has gained from the photos I've looked up on her Facebook. I still see her as a beautiful woman. Part of my change was off to college on campus dorm. If I deserve a skinny gal I needed to be a fraction of myself bettering my fitness first. I went from my Heaviest of 302lb December 2014 46's pants 3xl shirts to my current state of about 225lbs 38's and xl not 1xl. I did reach 190 but I was a ghost of me and jumped back up to 230 slowly. Now I'm in resurrection. I don't need abs but I'm going for flat belly. In short my girlfriend was almost toothpick. Now she's country size a little larger than Megan Trainor.
@@JCKingdom79 ......
@@JCKingdom79 ......
@@JCKingdom79 you good?
@@PurplePurplePurple You seem Concerned? I'm not sure what exactly are you concerned about? I was talking about the heavier set Americans and how I used to be one sharing my weight loss progress. Are you assuming I'm anorexic or something. I mentioned that I'm 225. I'm just confused what your concern is about being you're short and vague.
Ah yes Hot Topic, a place to get your nerd character creator kit.
@@newbeginning9112 Please don't tell my you had sex in Hot Topic
@@newbeginning9112 How and why?
I've worked at Hot Topic, I quit a few months ago. From the perception of my store, it doesn't look like the company was doing great, I constantly got my hours cut and I got paid basically minimum wage. And mind you the mall my store was located at was actually super busy. Anyways I'll tell you the store has definitely changed significantly since I was a kid, my first impression of the Hot Topic was that it was dark and scary and intimidating, but it definitely has spread it's appeal, to the point where I don't really agree with your statement that they primarily serve customers outside the norm, like no, everything in there is more or less mainstream now, but that could be accredited to the fact that "nerd" stuff is cool now. Also, if I had a dime for everytime someone said "oh, this store has changed a lot since I was a teenager" I would not have been making minimum wage.
Also, while I like the inclusion of Torrid since 3 of my best friends worked there (they didn't like working there) I'm surprised you didn't include Box Lunch, which is like another sister store to Hot Topic.
Tinkerbell it is very mainstream now I used it see band merch from of mice and men and Memphis May Fire now it’s a lot of pop and rap artist kinda sad they just went with who has more fans don’t even bother shopping there
I had a plus-size goth friend from Germany visit me in about 2004. She was really happy and excited to see that the USA had a shop for plus-sized goths. Most recently I saw a Torrid and observed that while it was still plus-sized it was no longer remotely goth or alternative.
From my experience, you get your hours cut at Hot Topic if your numbers aren’t there 🤷♀️ Hot Topic managers don’t cut hours on employees that can sell and not have to be given constant direction. But again, I don’t know your store or manager. If you’re also a minor, that plays a huge part. You usually have a schedule to work around due to school, usually non reliable transportation, can’t cover lunches for managers since you’re underage and can’t be left alone on the floor, etc. A lot of things play into getting hours cut.
@@iamthenightchild4061 yeah, I figured it may have been that I wasn't doing well in sales, but I constantly tied with the other best seller in the store and I believe I managed to beat her numbers for two weeks. So it wasn't that. I'm not underage either so it wasn't that. I think my manager just really hated me, and I don't know why...
Tinkerbell well if you ever want to, try another Hot Topic location! They are seriously so different from each other (this is coming from someone who’s worked for different locations, different managers, etc) not every store is going to fit a certain person. Hopefully that experience didn’t ruin your view completely!
"Hot Topic-Why they're successful "
Easy they have people like me keeping them in business.
23 years old
I remember when I was a little kid how dark the store was, almost every color inside was black or red, and the main focus was just bands
Then they started selling more stuff like invader zim and video game merch a little later
Now, it's like walking into a darker thinkgeek, that also sells poorly printed band tees, haha
Tristan Frankland yup I’m 26 and that’s exactly how I remember it
speaking of My Chemical Romance they literally announced a reunion a day after this video was made lmao
I’m surprised you didn’t mention their shift away from more of a gothic image after Columbine! I’m a bit outside of their target age range at 26 but I distinctly remember they used to have a heavy gothic vibe back in the day but after Columbine they switched to focusing more on pop culture and nerd culture. I still shop there every now and again because I’m very much still into alternative fashion and nerd culture. But I do miss their old aesthetic, even though I understand why they shied away from it 😢
As far as their perception now vs back in the 90’s I think they’re still very popular, especially with nerd subcultures. Their demographic has changed a lot though. Back in the day anyone who shopped at Hot Topic was considered a poser, though I still knew a ton of emo or goth kids who shopped there, myself included lol. These days they definitely cater more to pop culture and nerds and are very popular with that demographic as well.
then I guess the ones in NJ didn't get the memo cause they were still *very* much that in '05, at least. No the surprising case for me was going into my local one recently, and the gal behind the counter was basically a dead ringer for my former store manager at Suncoast 2 decades ago; it wasn't her, but seriously you would've never otherwise guessed. The hairdo, glasses, being plus-sized, the piercings, the tattoos, everything to a T; no joke.
I stopped shopping there because I didn’t want to be accused of being a poser - I didn’t care if I was accused of being other things ... but a poser? Never!
I’ve shopped at Hot Topic on and off since 2007. I think the biggest thing keeping them going is they’ve continued their trend of looking for new licensed merchandise (Steven Universe), but specifically having official merchandise of anime properties. What’s kept me going back to the store over the years was their legal Studio Ghibli and Sailor Moon merchandise. For a long time, both of those franchises had no official merchandise available for purchase within the US.
I’m 34, and as an emo kid, I frequented Hot Topic in the early 2000’s. I now have a 16 year old stepdaughter who is also an emo kid and enjoys frequenting Hot Topic. My wife and I took her recently, and it was a throwback but also very different in a couple significant ways.
There were always listening stations where you could pop headphones on and listen to new albums by alternative/metal/emo bands. You could also poke through a limited but pretty awesome vinyl collection. With its resurgence, I found it surprising they took them away. They would collaborate with bands like The Fall of Troy and release really cool limited records.
Basically it is much more pop culture based, with movies and television shows taking over what was known more as a music store where you could also buy that funny t-shirt or where your goth friend got her clothes.
Congrats on the kid and it is nice to hear you are spending quality time together. I am a new dad and used to frequent the old Hot Topic. It was way cooler back in the day.
I still stop in hot topic to look around every time I go to the mall. Sometimes for the nostalgia only. I often times wind out buying something I didn't need because I am a slave to pop culture.
I guess that's how they get ya
I haven't clicked a notification that quick in a long time. I absolutely adore hot topic. Online shopping can get insanely expensive in Canada (exchange rate) and most bands sell all their merch online, so Hot Topic is kinda like a sanctuary. It also is a rush when you find a shirt from a band you like, especially if they're not as big or no longer together.
Hot Topics revenue is 100% gonna go up in the coming months. MCR is back baby.
I’m so glad there wasn’t a hot topic in my mall growing up. I was enough of a dweeb already, a studded fingerless glove collection wouldn’t have helped
@@Randomthenightguard as someone who lived it the first time, skip the gloves 😂
“Most intimidating store in the mall”
Brandy Melville has left the chat
Hailey Murray scared of hot topic because the people there will hiss at you, scared of brandy melville because the people there will bully you 😭
I've been shopping at Hot Topic since I was 13 when I went through my 'emo phase,' and I'm almost 21. I also had a friend who was huge into the metal and punk scene work at Hot Topic, and my two sisters also like to shop there with me (18 and 16 respectively) and they've been going for just as long as I've been. I've always loved the graphic tees, denim jackets, and jeans as well as the knick-knacks, like the enamel pins or their punk accessories. What gets me though is that they charge so much for lower quality items when it comes to their jewelry, and just overall their prices are nuts. A set of mood rings? $6.50 plus tax. Three choker necklaces? $13.75 plus tax. A foot-long fluffy Pusheen stuffy? $28.50 plus tax. A hoodie denim jacket? $54.99 plus tax. A graphic t-shirt of any size? $22.50 plus tax! I go back to see what they got that's different or if there's something I specifically like, but it's a huge splurge to go there without a goal in mind or a budget. It's also probably a store that is contributing to fast fashion with the poor quality and having it not ethically sourced, which is becoming more and more of a trending issue for some environmentally-conscious people. Although every time I go into a Hot Topic, I also see more people that don't appear to be into that alternative scene coming in to look around. I mean, if you wanted to shop cool shit like that, there are other brands online and overseas that cater to the goth crowd so much better, and there are also smaller specialty stores that have what Hot Topic used to have (i.e. baggy punk pants, underground band shirts, etc.)
If you were an employee there, the dress code is pretty laid back but they certainly want you to dress the part of an emo/alternative/punk/goth if you want to label yourself that. I remember my friend saying the hours were sparse and the pay was dogshit but it definitely helped him grow as a person, letting him channel his charisma and confidence into sales and that was recognized by his manager as well as the young girls who shopped there.
It's barely alt anymore you poser
Oh the pusheen plushies are 30 bucks everywhere you go. Hot Topic isn’t the only place that’s that expensive, they cost that much at every store I’ve seen them in, including bookstores :(
I love Hot Topic. I've been shopping there since the 1990s. It's basically my first stop whenever I go to the mall.
Hot Topic, B&BW, and Forever 21 are the only stores I'll check out. Forever 21 is just for their shoes haha
Growing up, I went through my loner/emo phase back when my local HT had an edgier bend and Nightmare Before Christmas and Invader Zim merch. As the shop was located across from the food court, it gave an intimidating vibe to my family whenever we had lunch. For a while, I wasn’t allowed in, and when I finally was, my mother would stalk me while I was looking through the merch. Definitely not a very comfortable experience, but I was glad to be able to be in there.
I have mixed feelings about the current HT. On the one hand, my inner edgelord is disappointed that the alternative stuff is getting pushed more into the background in favor of mainstream fandom stuff. On the other hand, the tamer shift makes it more of a family affair, with me buying the cute/cool alt clothing and the occasional anime tee and jewelry while my sisters shop for Funko Pops... and the occasional anime tee.
Hot Topic: Where trends go to die.
Ashely Adams FACT
“the same people who shop at hot topic are the same people who are really in to the band my chemical romance” HEY STOP ATTACKING ME-
good to know that i wasnt the only one that felt attacked
Funnily enough, I bought 2 mcr shirts at Hot Topic yesterday
NIN: Gen-X reporting in.
I'm not sure what your user name is implying
Still my favorite place to visit when I'm at the mall, my age be damned.
I swear, everytime I walk into a hot topic, I think “I like that, thats cool, oh sick” then leave with nothing
32 years old. Me and my wife still shop there, whether it's for Funko pops (especially HT exclusives), clothing, or any collectibles. I also listened to plenty of KoRn and MCR back in the day, and still do.
Also, I still have my “Vote For Pedro” shirt. I think I got it at Walmart, though.
im 25 and i still love hot topic. def is missing some of the vibe it had 10 years ago tho
Hot topic is really different today then years ago, and thats a good thing. They became so good at adapting to trends that they went from catering to the outsiders to the general image of an outsider
The hot topics near me seem to be far more focused on geeky stuff/ anime like Harry Potter and other things