abhishreshthaa
Abhijeet S
Hot Topic is an American retail chain specializing in music and punk/rock culture-related clothing and accessories, as well as licensed music on CD's. As of April, 2008, Hot Topic had 688 locations in the United States and six stores in Puerto Rico, as well as opening 2 new stores in Canada, on in Scarborough Town Centre in Toronto and one at Square One Shopping Centre in Missisauga. The majority of the stores are located in regional shopping malls.[3] The first Hot Topic store was opened in 1988 by Orv Madden, who retired as CEO in 2000 and was replaced by Betsy McLaughlin. The company went public and began trading on NASDAQ in 1996. In 2006 Hot Topic was named number 53 on Fortune 500's Top Companies To Work For list.
Strengths
* Real estate
* Strong regional brand & loyal customer base
* Supply chain capabilities
Weaknesses
* Privately owned - restricts capital
* Poor and inconsistent in-store execution
* Price perception
* Format portfolio - too reliant in one format
* Aging population prefers smaller-sized stores
Opportunities
* Private label development
* Format innovation
* Gain food market share
* Increase Meijer.com market share
Threats
* Poor regional economic conditions
* Overlap with Wal-Mart Supercenters
* Labor unions
Strengths
* Real estate
* Strong regional brand & loyal customer base
* Supply chain capabilities
Weaknesses
* Privately owned - restricts capital
* Poor and inconsistent in-store execution
* Price perception
* Format portfolio - too reliant in one format
* Aging population prefers smaller-sized stores
Opportunities
* Private label development
* Format innovation
* Gain food market share
* Increase Meijer.com market share
Threats
* Poor regional economic conditions
* Overlap with Wal-Mart Supercenters
* Labor unions