Final answer:
The Re values would be decreased if the solvent's polarity was similar to the stationary phase because solutes would have less interaction with the stationary phase and move faster through the system.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the polarity of the solvent is similar to the stationary phase in a chromatographic process, the retention factor (Re) values would likely be decreased. When the solvent and the stationary phase have similar polarities, solutes can dissolve more easily in the mobile phase, which causes them to travel through the system quicker, resulting in lower retention times and, therefore, lower Re values.