Hot Topic Reports 3Q Increase Thanks to Twilight Release

Specialty store Hot Topic's third-quarter earnings set it apart from competitors, reporting an 11.4 percent increase in profits for the quarter ending on Nov. 1.

The retailer's chief executive officer Betsy McLaughlin said in a conference call that the recent release of teen film Twilight and Halloween accounted for much of the sales increase. Hot Topic has a license for Twilight merchandise inspired by the New York Times best-selling series by Stephanie Meyer. The recently released film adaptation by Summit Entertainment was directed by Catherine Hardwicke and stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson.

Hot Topic, a mall and Web-based specialty chain operates 683 stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The company also owns 158 Torrid shops, a plus-size women's chain. Hot Topic also recently launched a music site at ShockHound.com.