Hot Topic, Inc. is a mall and Web-based specialty retailer of apparel, accessories, music and gift items for young men and women. The Company operates under two concepts: Hot Topic and Torrid. At its Hot Topic stores, it sells a selection of licensed and non-licensed apparel, accessories and gift items that are influenced by popular music artists and pop culture trends. At Torrid, the Company sells apparel, lingerie, shoes and accessories for plus-size females principally between the ages of 12 and 26. The Company sells merchandise on its Websites www.hottopic.com and www.torrid.com, which reflect the Hot Topic and Torrid store concepts and sells merchandise similar to that sold in the respective stores. As of December 31, 2009, it operated 680 Hot Topic stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, and 156 Torrid stores in 35 states. In March 2011, the Company announced the discontinuation of the ShockHound.com business operations.