Uncooked chicken will only last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator so be sure to cook the chicken and use the chicken within a few days of refrigerating it.
If you're not gonna cook the chicken within a few days of refrigerating or buying it you should place the chicken in the freezer.
When you keep the chicken in the freezer it will last for a year or even 2 years past the sell by date.
But in the refrigerator the bacteria can grow more rapidly and the chicken will only last a few days in the refrigerator even after the sell by date.
When you buy the chicken you should get the chicken into the refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible when you get home.
Or use an ice chest to keep the chicken cold enough until you can get it home.