A method for forming pairs of packs, comprising providing a supply of individual packs (100), arranging a first pack in a vertical transport device (40), arranging a second pack in the vertical transport device (40), thereby arranging the second pack vertically spaced from the first pack in the vertical transport device (40). The method further comprises vertically transporting the first and the second pack in the vertical transport device, then simultaneous pushing the first and second packs as a pair of packs out of the vertical transport device and into a receiving device (50), wherein the first and second packs are transferred in a vertically spaced manner as the pair of packs to the receiving device and are arranged in a vertically spaced manner in the receiving device.

Packaging bag receiving device for a packaging machine for receiving a plurality of packaging bags, comprising: a plurality of holder pairs for each holding a packaging bag, wherein each holder pair comprises a first holder and a second holder arranged at a predetermined distance therefrom, and wherein at least the first holder of a holder pair is displaceable with respect to the second holder of this holder pair; and a distance adjusting device for substantially simultaneously or concurrently adjusting the distances between the holders of each holder pair by displacing at least the first holder relative to the second holder of each holder pair.