Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the handling of products in a product-handling installation, comprising the following method steps: a) providing at least one product on a flexible placing area, b) placing a cage, which is equipped with at least one displaceable supporting-body group, onto the flexible placing area, c) imparting at least one deflection to the flexible placing area and displacing the deflection along the flexible placing area, and d) simultaneously retracting the at least one supporting-body group into a gap created by the at least one deflection between the flexible placing area and a lower side of the products. The invention further relates to a method for the palletizing of products. Furthermore, a device for the handling of products and the use of said device for the palletizing of products is proposed.