Hot Topic heats up Canadian market

August 11, 2010 by Wendy Goldman Getzler

US retail chain Hot Topic will head north of the border with three new locations set to open this year in Canada. The chain, which currently has 680 locations across the US and Puerto Rico, as well as an online store, is known for its selection of music and pop-culture apparel, accessories and gift items.

The Square One Shopping Centre and Scarborough Town Centre Hot Topic locations, situated in the Greater Toronto Area, will open on August 13, and a third store at Mapleview Shopping Centre in Burlington will follow in October. The online store already ships to all provinces across the country.

With the openings comes a first in-store Canadian event at Scarborough Town Centre, which will host an autograph signing with rock band Disturbed on August 25. Hot Topic often partners with artists from music, film, television and gaming properties. Recent promo pushes include those surrounding films Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, The Twilight Saga and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.