Hot Topic, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate as a mall-based specialty retailer operating the Hot Topic and Torrid concepts in the United States. Its Hot Topic stores sell various music/pop culture-licensed and music/pop culture-influenced apparel, accessories, and gift items for young men and women. The company’s music/pop culture-licensed merchandise includes tee shirts, hats, posters, stickers, patches, postcards, books, novelty accessories, compact discs, and digital versatile discs. Its music/pop culture-influenced merchandise includes women’s and men’s apparel and accessories, such as woven and knit tops, skirts, pants, shorts, jackets, shoes, costume jewelry, body jewelry, sunglasses, cosmetics, leather accessories, and gift items. The company’s Torrid stores sell apparel, lingerie, shoes, and accessories designed for various lifestyles for plus-size females. Its Torrid merchandise includes jeans, novelty tee shirts, fashion tops, pants, jackets, and dresses, as well as hosiery and fashion accessories. As of February 3, 2007, it operated 694 Hot Topic stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and 131 Torrid stores in 34 states. The company also sells products through its Web sites, hottopic.com and torrid.com. Hot Topic was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in City of Industry, California.