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While there are over
800 toy companies nationwide, 500 of these are located in Southern California
alone. This industry has
also revitalized a dilapidated area of Los Angeles just south of Los Angeles,
and this area is now affectionately known as "Toy Town.----Hot
Topic , Inc.

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tasc-toys.
Hot Topic, Inc.

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9%

Quarter-to-date $105.

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"
Consistent with the growth of the toy industry, the Toy Association of
Southern California (TASC) -- a nonprofit business association dedicated to
promoting the welfare of the toy industry in Southern California -- has
launched its new website: http://www.

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1% 5. The Company currently operates 603 Hot Topic stores in all 50
states and Puerto Rico, 82 Torrid stores, and Internet stores
www.

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7 19% 3.

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Southern California's Toy Industry Association - an Economic Powerhouse - and Now a New Website

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7 21% 5.

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Hot Topic Inc. Reports March Comp Store Sales up 5 .3%

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com/.

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Members of the Toy Industry Association of Southern California include
private firms like Mattel, Inc.5%

For more detailed information on March sales results, please call
626-709-1209 to listen to a recorded commentary. 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.

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com

In addition to the historical information contained herein, this
news release contains forward-looking statements, which include
statements relating to financial results, guidance, projections and
other financial performance, and managing growth.

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LOS ANGELES, Excluding video games, toys are a
$21 billion a year industry in the United States.3% 3.

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Torrid, the Company's
second concept, provides plus-size fashion-forward apparel and
accessories that target young women principally between the ages of 15
and 29.torrid.

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, Megatoys, Playhut, Intex Recreation and TC
Toys Corporation. is a national mall -based specialty retailer. Hot
Topic offers apparel, accessories and gifts to young men and women
principally between the ages of 12 and 22.

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The website features an extensive collection of resources for businesses
in the toy industry, including:

* Daily news;
* Free email newsletters;
* Upcoming trade shows;
* International trade resources;
* Membership information; and,
* A private networking and discussion forum for members.

(Nasdaq:HOTT) today announced the following sales results
for the fiscal month of March (ended April 2, 2005):

Net Sales Comparable Store
Sales % Increase
$ Millions % Increase This Last
to Last Year Year
Year
March $59. These statements
involve risks and uncertainties, including risks and uncertainties
associated with meeting expected financial results, management of
growth, 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 including
risks associated with the Company's new store concepts and Internet
stores, 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 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 January 31, 2004.

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Asian immigrant toy manufacturers have cornered 60 percent of the
market -- equivalent to over $1 billion dollars in sales.

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Business Editors

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.