Hot Topic Essay

Submitted By Jessica-West
Words: 541
Pages: 3

Hot Topic offers a countless collection of cultural items as well as accessories and clothing aimed at a younger market segment. This first starts with the former CEO Betsy McLaughlin who believes that the culture at Hot Topic is based on a passion for a concept. For Hot Topic, that passion is music, and for Torrid, it is fashion. This is what makes Hot Topic as successful as a retailer. What makes them so popular with their employees is there ability to connect their employees to the crowd or customer in which they sell to. Hot Topics employees’ average age is around 25 years of age. This is the age range that is into trends and innovative styles. Employees are fiercely loyal to the firm as a result of the great working environment where they feel they can “fit in” and be appreciated for what they contribute to the organization. One example of how Hot Topic encourages fitting in is its “concert reimbursement” program. Employees can attend a concert and bring someone with them, fill out an expense report, and be reimbursed for the cost of their tickets. The only requirement for this benefit is to submit a “fashion report.” The culture also values collaboration, open communication, and empowerment, and is perpetuated by a lack of walls and doors in the corporate headquarters. Everyone works in one big room and shares space, taking emphasis off hierarchy and promoting collaboration and open communication. Hot Topics can keep their success going because of their involvement with the community and their social responsibilities. At Hot Topic, Inc. they recognize the importance of providing their customers with products that have been produced in a legal and socially responsible manner. So, in addition to requiring compliance with applicable local and federal laws, they require all manufacturers and product providers to agree to adhere to strict standards for the production of the merchandise we sell. These are the minimum standards by which they expect each manufacturer and product provider to conduct business with them, and they are founded on the principle that all individuals are owed dignity and respect. The standards