Cilj rada je primjenom metode istraživanja za stolom tzv. desk research te korištenjem raznih sekundarnih izvora podataka, kao i primjenom raznih statističkih metoda utvrditi temeljne motive krađa u trgovini te ukazati koliki utjecaj na porast i sve veću zastupljenost ovog problema ima neadekvatnost društvenog uređenja i nedorečenost Kaznenog zakona Republike Hrvatske kao i lošije gospodarsko stanje unazad nekoliko godina. Kroz rad su detaljnije objašnjeni i analizirani pojmovi poput trgovine općenito, trgovine na malo te je prikazano trenutno stanje koje vlada na hrvatskom maloprodajnom tržištu. Istaknuta je uloga i važnost samoposlužnih prodavaonica, kao maloprodajnih oblika, kao i činjenica da sve više postaju meta kradljivaca. Kako bi se onemogućio daljnji rast ovog problema nužno je pronaći adekvatno pravno rješenje za zaštitu maloprodavača te primijeniti odgovarajuće metode zaštite artikala od krađe s ciljem suzbijanja daljnjeg širenja problema krađa trgovini.

This paper deals with the problem of shoplifting in self-service retail stores. The main objectives thereby are to determine the primary motives of this act, its consequences, and to assess what impact the inadequate social order, the vague Croatian Criminal Law and the current bad economic situation have on the growing presence and relevance of this problem. The research was carried out by the means of desk research method and diverse statistical methods. The additional information was gathered through personal interview and various secondary data sources. Throughout the paper the concepts of commerce, retail trade and the current situation on the Croatian retail market are further analyzed and explained in more detail. The role and the importance of self-service stores as retail forms have been highlighted together with the fact that they are increasingly becoming theft targets. To prevent further growth of this serious problem it is necessary to find the right legal solution to protect retailers from it as well as to promote the application of adequate preventing and protecting methods.