VOX POPULI: With increasing concern about rapidly rising gas prices, tightening credit, mounting foreclosures in the battered housing market and a faltering economy, the latest consumer confidence poll dropped precipitously. The Conference Board reported its June consumer confidence index came in at 50.4, far below economists’ expectations of 56.5 and May’s mark of 58.1. Consumers are being cautious, shopping close to home and foregoing extended motor trips. Most have little confidence that the economy will recover in the second half, some are hoping for the first half of 2009, and a few are still just focused on getting a job.

M & M: Mohawk Industries will institute a moderate price increase on select hardwood products, ranging from 3% to 5% on all orders shipped on or after July 14. The company cited increases in raw materials, transportation and energy as reasons for the price adjustment. At the same time, Mannington Mills announced that it will be implementing a price increase on selected hardwood products. Same reasons: raw material costs, energy and transportation prices. The company hasn’t released the amount of the increase on its wood products, but it has made firm that it will become effective with shipments on Aug. 18.

HERE’S A TWIST: In these times it’s not unusual to hear about companies trimming their work force, but it is nothing short of heroic when a company goes on a hiring spree. Beaulieu of America is doing just that. Eufaula, Ala., is a town about 90 miles east of Montgomery with a population of 13,350 and the site of the company’s carpet yarn plant. Terry Harper, plant manager, has added an extra shift of spinners, twisters and cablers. With 450 employees, Beaulieu is already one of the town’s biggest employers. Interesting to note the yarn plant was built more than 40 years ago by Columbus Mills and was acquired by Beaulieu in 1998.

IN THE MONEY: Would you believe there are now 10 million millionaires? It’s true. The number of people around the world with at least $1 million in assets passed 10 million for the first time last year. And their bank accounts are growing even faster. The combined wealth of the globe’s millionaires reached nearly $41 trillion last year, up 9% from the year before. Home values are not included in the asset totals. The ranks of the wealthy are growing fastest in the developing countries of India, China and Brazil. But, the United States still ranks at the top: one in every three millionaires in the world lives in America. The superrich—those with at least $30 million in assets—got richer and there are 103,000 of them around the world. There were 600,000 new millionaires that emerged from the world’s 6.7 billion population. And, finally, the wealth of the world’s richest is projected to reach almost $60 trillion by 2012. Join the club.

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