Which aspect is most often associated with high expectations in category management?

High expectations in category management are primarily linked to customer satisfaction and loyalty. This connection is established because category management focuses on understanding customer needs and preferences, ultimately aiming to enhance the shopping experience. By effectively managing product categories, retailers can curate offerings that resonate with consumers, leading to increased satisfaction. When customers feel that their needs are being met, their loyalty typically grows, resulting in repeat purchases and positive word-of-mouth, which are crucial for a retailer's success.

Options related to employee retention rates, supply chain management, and cost-cutting methods, while important in their own right, do not directly address the core objective of category management, which is to enhance the customer experience. Therefore, these factors may influence the operational side of a business, but they do not drive high expectations in the same way that customer satisfaction and loyalty do.