The invention relates to a method and apparatus (10) for handling piece goods (2) for forming a palletizable layer or partial layer, with the piece goods (2) being moved in at least two parallel rows (1) and the layer comprising a plurality of piece goods (2). At least two piece goods (2) that are transported beside each other in parallel rows (1) are seized in a clamping and/or force-locking and/or form-locking manner, are then spatially separated from the at least two parallel rows (1) and are then brought into a specified relative target position (P1, P2) and/or target alignment in relation to subsequent piece goods (2). The apparatus (10) comprises at least one manipulator (5) for piece goods (2), and at least one transport device (3), where the piece goods (2) arranged in at least two parallel rows (1).