Consumers are still grabbing snacks at the grocery store despite higher prices, but inflation remains a concern for PepsiCo

• PepsiCo reported stronger-than-expected sales and profits Tuesday for its fiscal second quarter.
• Higher grocery prices haven't kept some shoppers from grabbing many of the company's iconic brands.

PepsiCo says consumers are undeterred by higher prices for its beverages and snacks even though inflation remains a concern for the company and many of its customers.

"Inflation is having so much impact on the consumer in so many ways," Hugh Johnston, PepsiCo's vice chair and chief financial officer, told investors on a conference call.

It's also affecting the company. He said PepsiCo still believed price increases for commodities would be "in the teens" this year.

Johnston added that he thought stronger productivity in the second half of the year would help the company weather some of those cost increases.

The food and beverage giant reported stronger-than-expected sales and profits on Tuesday for its fiscal second quarter, which ended in mid-June. The higher grocery prices that have forced consumers to hand over more money in the checkout line haven't kept some shoppers from picking up many of the company's iconic products, including Lay's, Mountain Dew, Ruffles, and Gatorade.

Despite supply-chain disruptions, PepsiCo reported revenue rose 5.2% for the quarter.

Johnston said the questions facing the company — and the world — meant PepsiCo had to be even more careful about its forecasting. The company raised its revenue forecast for the year but left its profit forecast unchanged.

"The first thing that we're thinking about these days is just the level of volatility in the world," he said.

In uncertain times, many consumers crave comfort foods, experts say, though some are looking for healthier alternatives. PepsiCo said its brands that focus on "more nutritious snacking," including PopCorners, Smartfood, and Sun Chips, posted double-digit revenue growth.

Rising prices are a concern for both consumers and businesses like PepsiCo because if costs go too high, consumers might have to scale back on the snacks they buy. Inflation stands at a 40-year high, though in recent weeks, gas prices have started to come down.

A new snapshot of US prices is due from the Labor Department Wednesday morning.