Abstract: An apparatus for forming groups of superposed, flat items, includes a conveyor having a transporting device traveling in a conveying direction along a generally horizontal working flight; and a plurality of upstanding pusher fingers secured to the transporting device. A plurality of storage chutes are serially positioned above the working flight for holding items in a superposed stack therein. An item-retaining device is situated at a lower, item-discharging end of each chute. The item-retaining device includes a component defining an item-retaining surface for retaining the items in the chute by supporting a lowermost item of the stack. Each pusher finger is arranged for travel through the item-discharging end for pushing all items forming part of the stack in the chute and being situated in a path of travel of the pusher finger, off the item-retaining device and for advancing the items in the conveying direction along the working flight.