diff --git a/.github/workflows/deploy-beta.yml b/.github/workflows/deploy-beta.yml
index c2bf34d18..a0b9d5c1a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/deploy-beta.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/deploy-beta.yml
@@ -163,6 +163,7 @@ jobs:
       trigger_source: ${{ needs.get-deploy-inputs.outputs.trigger_source }}
     secrets:
       RS_PROD_BUGSNAG_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.RS_PROD_BUGSNAG_API_KEY }}
+      NPM_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
       SLACK_BOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.SLACK_BOT_TOKEN }}
       SLACK_RELEASE_CHANNEL_ID: ${{ secrets.SLACK_RELEASE_CHANNEL_ID_NON_PROD }}
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/deploy-npm.yml b/.github/workflows/deploy-npm.yml
index bccece34d..0e34bf41c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/deploy-npm.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/deploy-npm.yml
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ on:
     secrets:
       RS_PROD_BUGSNAG_API_KEY:
         required: true
+      NPM_TOKEN:
+        required: true
       SLACK_BOT_TOKEN:
         required: true
       SLACK_RELEASE_CHANNEL_ID:
@@ -156,12 +158,14 @@ jobs:
       - name: Publish package to NPM
         env:
           HUSKY: 0
+          NODE_AUTH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
           NPM_CONFIG_PROVENANCE: true
         run: |
           # Remove unnecessary fields from package.json before publishing
           ./scripts/make-package-json-publish-ready.sh
 
-          npx nx release publish --base=${{ env.last_monorepo_version }} --head=${{ env.current_monorepo_version }} ${{ inputs.environment == 'beta' && '--tag=beta' || '' }}
+          npm set //registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
+          npx nx release publish --verbose --base=${{ env.last_monorepo_version }} --head=${{ env.current_monorepo_version }} ${{ inputs.environment == 'beta' && '--tag=beta' || '' }}
 
           # Reset the changes made to package.json
           git reset --hard
@@ -202,8 +206,10 @@ jobs:
       - name: Deprecate the legacy SDK NPM package
         continue-on-error: true
         env:
+          NODE_AUTH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
           NPM_CONFIG_PROVENANCE: true
         run: |
+          npm set //registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
 
           npm deprecate rudder-sdk-js "This package is deprecated and no longer maintained. While your events are still being tracked and delivered, we strongly recommend you to migrate to the latest package, @rudderstack/analytics-js (https://www.npmjs.com/package/@rudderstack/analytics-js), for the latest features, security updates, and improved performance. For more details, visit the migration guide: https://www.rudderstack.com/docs/sources/event-streams/sdks/rudderstack-javascript-sdk/migration-guide/."
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/publish-new-release.yml b/.github/workflows/publish-new-release.yml
index b391387cd..4c17ae7ff 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/publish-new-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/publish-new-release.yml
@@ -269,6 +269,7 @@ jobs:
       monorepo_release_version: ${{ needs.get-release-inputs.outputs.release_version }}
       release_ticket_id: ${{ needs.get-release-inputs.outputs.release_ticket_id }}
     secrets:
+      NPM_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
       RS_PROD_BUGSNAG_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.RS_PROD_BUGSNAG_API_KEY }}
       SLACK_BOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.SLACK_BOT_TOKEN }}
       SLACK_RELEASE_CHANNEL_ID: ${{ secrets.SLACK_RELEASE_CHANNEL_ID }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/rollback.yml b/.github/workflows/rollback.yml
index af65fda1b..233d21cad 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/rollback.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/rollback.yml
@@ -166,12 +166,14 @@ jobs:
       - name: Deprecate the rolled back NPM version
         continue-on-error: true
         env:
+          NODE_AUTH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
           NPM_CONFIG_PROVENANCE: true
         run: |
           VERSION_TO_DEPRECATE="${{ env.CURRENT_VERSION_VALUE }}"
           echo "Deprecating NPM version: $VERSION_TO_DEPRECATE"
           
           # Deprecate the specified version with a message
+          npm set //registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
           npm deprecate "@rudderstack/analytics-js@$VERSION_TO_DEPRECATE" "We've identified issues with this version of the package. Please switch to v${{ env.ROLLBACK_VERSION_VALUE }} or the latest version if available."
 
           # Note: The legacy SDK is not deprecated as it is deprecated by default with every release.
diff --git a/packages/analytics-js-plugins/__tests__/xhrQueue/index.test.ts b/packages/analytics-js-plugins/__tests__/xhrQueue/index.test.ts
index 29472c3b5..4855edd7e 100644
--- a/packages/analytics-js-plugins/__tests__/xhrQueue/index.test.ts
+++ b/packages/analytics-js-plugins/__tests__/xhrQueue/index.test.ts
@@ -213,6 +213,7 @@ describe('XhrQueue', () => {
         attemptNumber: 1,
         lastAttemptedAt: expect.any(Number),
         firstAttemptedAt: expect.any(Number),
+        reclaimed: undefined,
         id: 'sample_uuid',
         time: 1 + 1000 * 2 ** 1, // this is the delay calculation in RetryQueue
         type: 'Single',
@@ -391,6 +392,7 @@ describe('XhrQueue', () => {
           event: mergeDeepRight(event, { sentAt: 'sample_timestamp' }),
         },
         attemptNumber: 1,
+        reclaimed: undefined,
         lastAttemptedAt: expect.any(Number),
         firstAttemptedAt: expect.any(Number),
         id: 'sample_uuid',
@@ -498,6 +500,7 @@ describe('XhrQueue', () => {
           event: mergeDeepRight(event, { sentAt: 'sample_timestamp' }),
         },
         attemptNumber: 1,
+        reclaimed: undefined,
         lastAttemptedAt: expect.any(Number),
         firstAttemptedAt: expect.any(Number),
         id: 'sample_uuid',
diff --git a/packages/analytics-js-plugins/src/xhrQueue/index.ts b/packages/analytics-js-plugins/src/xhrQueue/index.ts
index 10dc32ece..e2cc50d1d 100644
--- a/packages/analytics-js-plugins/src/xhrQueue/index.ts
+++ b/packages/analytics-js-plugins/src/xhrQueue/index.ts
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import {
   isErrRetryable,
   isUndefined,
   LOCAL_STORAGE,
+  MEMORY_STORAGE,
   toBase64,
   validateEventPayloadSize,
 } from '../shared-chunks/common';
@@ -124,7 +125,8 @@ const XhrQueue = (): ExtensionPlugin => ({
           });
         },
         storeManager,
-        LOCAL_STORAGE,
+        // If local storage is available, use it, else use memory storage
+        state.capabilities.storage.isLocalStorageAvailable.value ? LOCAL_STORAGE : MEMORY_STORAGE,
         logger,
         (itemData: XHRQueueItemData[]): number => {
           const currentTime = getCurrentTimeFormatted();