The increasing popularity of online shopping could lead to the creation of 100 new jobs by an ambitious company based in Mansfield.

Dijitul, of the Brunts Business Centre, is a web design and marketing agency that has defied the recession and helped to power the digital revolution.

Now it is poised to give the local economy another shot in the arm by capitalising on the boom in online trading.

“The e-commerce market is huge,” said Dave Hartshorne (30), (pictured right) one of two Mansfield entrepreneurs who spearhead the success of Dijitul.

“You only have to look at the likes of Amazon and eBuyer to see how big internet retailers can become, not to mention how many jobs can be created in a short space of time.

“More people are purchasing goods online, and the industry is not slowing down.

“We are extremely confident that our business can keep growing, particularly in retail.
“The target of 100 new jobs in the next three years, providing apprenticeships for young people and introducing new skills to the area, is more than realistic.”

Dijitul has already set up online shops selling products such as office furniture, chairs, car suspension and protective cases for iPads.

But the firm can create powerful and affordable ecommerce websites for every type of business — from small start-ups to multi-million pound enterprises. And it will employ skilled, hopefully local, staff to run these sites.

Dave said: “We will offer apprenticeships to train them and mould them into our way of doing things. We will be creating a future workforce.

“We are not a corporate company. We are laid-back. But we get things done.”

Getting things done is what local lad Dave has been doing since he launched Dijitul in 2006 with fellow entrepreneur Olly (30), (pictured left).

He had previous experience working for a mobile-phone company and a promotional clothing company, while Olly worked in design and print.

As well as online trading, two key spheres of Dijitul’s growth are website design and development, and digital marketing.

“We have a constant workflow from our clients,” added Dave. “But our main focus is on growth. We want to expand in all areas, and we want more clients.

“The way we are growing could see us hit the £15m mark in a few more years.”