A device for distributing and grouping containers in a container treatment assembly, including an infeed conveyor which is configured to convey a plurality of containers in a single-lane infeed flow; an outfeed conveyor which is configured to convey the containers away in multiple lanes; and a transfer conveyor associated with the infeed and the outfeed conveyor and having a plurality of circulating guide elements for the containers; where the transfer conveyor is adapted to separate the containers in a standing position by way of the circulating guide elements from the single-lane infeed flow to the multi-lane outfeed flow by selective guiding, in particular, by pushing them forward and/or decelerating them.