In the video below, Motley Fool's chief investment officer, Andy Cross, talks about how he's watching the retail industry in 2013. So much of the American economy is tied to the American consumer that retail is a very important area to watch. One strong company to keep an eye on is Williams-Sonoma (WSM -1.62%). The company has had a lot of interesting activity going on lately with the potential for more growth. Another brand to watch closely is Starbucks (SBUX 0.64%). Starbucks is a category-killer and great global brand. These companies have great global aspirations. So aside from U.S. sales, it is crucial to keep an eye on the potential growth of these retailers overseas.