Group 1 Automotive Adds Former Ulta CEO Kimbell to Board

Kimbell brings three decades of experience in scaling omnichannel retail operations to the Houston-based automotive retailer. During his tenure at the helm of Ulta Beauty, he oversaw a period of significant expansion that saw annual revenue climb from $6.2 billion to $11.3 billion. His strategy centered on integrating digital platforms with physical storefronts and leveraging loyalty programs to drive customer retention.

Charles Szews, non-executive chair of Group 1, pointed to Kimbell's background in modernizing the shopping experience as a primary asset for the company. Kimbell, who also holds a seat on the board of Best Buy Co., Inc., stated that he intends to apply the same principles of data-driven customer engagement that defined his work in the beauty sector to the shifting landscape of automotive sales. Group 1 currently operates 249 dealerships across the United States and the United Kingdom.