Mustafa Centre in Singapore is an iconic landmark in Little India, from low-priced electronics to make-up, jewellery, and delicious Indian food

Mustafa Centre, a giant mall in Singapore’s Little India, is never without customers. From 1995 to 2000, the company was on the annual Enterprise 50 list and has outlived many other retail centres.

Founded by Mustaq Ahmad, it quickly became many people’s Shopping Paradise has been Mustafa Centre since 1995. Over 15,000 people of all nationalities visit the store on weekends.

Mustafa Centre Address and Contact Details:

Address: 145 Syed Alwi Rd, Mustafa Centre, Singapore 207704

Telephone: 6295 5855

Opening Hours:
Monday: 9:30am–2am
Tuesday: 9:30am–2am
Wednesday: 9:30am–2am
Thursday: 9:30am–2am
Friday: 9:30am–2am
Saturday: 9:30am–2am
Sunday: 9:30am–2am

How to get there? A Walking Tour from Syed Alwi Road to Mustafa Centre

What can you find at Mustafa Centre?

Customers enjoy the wide range of options and low prices this store offers. The seven-story, 200,000-square-foot store has over 300,000 items for sale, including Indian spices, wheelchairs, vitamins, gold, and DVDs. You can get your money changed, plane tickets bought, mail delivered, and eat at a restaurant any time of day or night here. The shop has become a tourist attraction in Singapore.

Most importantly, Mustafa Centre is open until 2am everyday, seven days a week, allowing customers to purchase their desired goods whenever possible. It’s a well-known name in Singapore for selling high-end goods at low prices.

Shoppers can find a wide variety of goods in the mall’s two shopping blocks — one retails jewellery and household appliances, while the other sells an array of products like clothing, footwear, electronic goods, watches, DVDs, and books. At Mustafa, gold and air tickets can also be picked up for a low price.

Our Personal Experience at Mustafa Centre

Mustafa Centre carries a wide range of brands but may only have a limited number of things. We discovered that small kitchen equipment, which is not widespread in Asian households, is less likely to be available.

Many of the items we discovered surprised us. A selection of European chocolate brands and a full supermarket with fresh fish and meat were available on the grocery level.

The existence of a GST refund service booth at Mustafa Centre is a unique feature we noted. This service booth will assist tourists with the proper papers for purchases above S$100. At the time of their departure, tourists will produce this GST refund document to the Customs Officer, together with the merchandise purchased at our beloved Changi Airport. They will then receive their refunds at the addresses they provided.

Mustafa Centre has a counter for pre-loved designer bags, which astonished us. You might also check the mall if you’re looking for a branded purse or wallet.

Mustafa Centre also sells meat, seafood, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Every day, these items are flown in from neighbouring countries.

The two sections where I spent the most time in Mustafa were the Camera equipment section in Basement 2 and the Luggage section in Level 2.

I spent a fair deal of my time in the camera section, which had limitless shelves. They have a wide range of media equipment for vloggers, photographers, recorders, Youtubers, and cameras. While not everything will be cheaper here than on Amazon, Lazada or Shopee, it’s fun to browse and try things out before buying.

I was seriously tempted to purchase the Osmo phone stabiliser for vlogging.

While at the Luggage section, I spent most of my time hunting for little knick-and-knacks to make my travelling easier, like the universal adapters for low dirt prices.

Before departing, we swung by to pick up affordable skin care products like facial cleanser and aloe vera gel.

We wouldn’t go to Mustafa Centre for the quaint shopping experience, but for just much anything else you need around the house, this place is a bargain hunter’s heaven.

For guys, do stock up on razors. For some strange reason, they are cheaper here than anywhere else. Men’s grooming boutique SGPomades sells these Japan-made stainless steel safety razors, the old-school type that hipster barber shops use, for $40+, but you can get one for less than one-tenth of that price at Mustafa Centre.

Our Editor’s Top 7 Tips for Better Shopping Experience at the Mustafa Shopping Centre

We were “stuck” in Singapore for the past two years due to the COVID outbreak. Even with some travel restrictions eased, flying overseas at this time can be a hassle due to limited travel destinations, pre-departure PCR test requirements, quarantine, and other factors. So, my wife and I decided to play tourist for a day and toured every corner of Mustafa Centre as if we were on vacation. You must plan ahead, just like any other shopping excursion. Here are a few pointers we learned on our Mustafa shopping adventure today to assist you in navigating Mustafa.

• Mustafa Centre has a set price policy; thus, bargaining isn’t an option.
• It’s highly crowded, especially on weekends, so keep your valuables safe.
• If you bring your kids, keep an eye on them as they can get lost easily because of the crowd level.
• Bring only a small bag. To deter theft, backpacks and large purses will be zip-tied upon entering Mustafa centre.
• To avoid crowds, go to Mustafa Centre early in the morning or late at night. So stay away on the weekends and avoid busy hours.
• Instead of driving, use the MRT. Parking can be a pain.
• Make a list of what you want to buy. Better still, research what you’re about to buy online and check to see whether you’re getting a fair bargain.

The Official Mustafa Centre Directory

Mustafa Centre Level 1 Video Walk Tour

Level 1: Level 1 of Mustafa Centre mainly has the following products: Watches for men and ladies, Movies and Music, Cosmetics, Perfume, Hair Dye, Batteries and Power Packs, Stationery, Shaving products, Wheel chairs and aids, pharmacy, money changer, calculators, cameras, mobile phones, optical area, soap, lotion and deodarant, healthcare products, contact lenses, haircare, baby milk powder, and medication.

Level 2: Food products such as dried foods, grains, spices, herbs, and especially Indian spices and herbs are displayed at this level. You may also buy sweets and chocolate, as well as souvenirs from Singapore, silk, household items, children’s clothing, baby items, and more.

Level 3: This level includes kitchenware, cutlery, bed linens, blankets, curtains, and other decorative items.

Level 4: Furniture, tools, DIY products, books, and stationery are all found on Level 4.

Basement 1 & 2: Men’s, women’s, office, and sportswear, as well as shoes, bags, and accessories, are all sold here. These two levels also sell luggage, sports equipment, and home appliances.

10 Must-Have Mustafa Centre Bargains

Offering an extensive selection of goods and services at surprisingly low prices makes Mustafa Centre so popular. As a result, it’s a popular shopping destination in Singapore for locals and tourists looking to save money on electronic goods, currency exchange, family value packs, and more. So, what exactly should you get from Mustafa?

1. Mustafa’s Crazy Vast Selection of Gold and Jewellery at Basement of Mustafa Centre

Jewellery and gold can be found in the basement of the Mustafa Centre, where a wide variety of items are displayed. The mall has everything from bracelets and anklets to necklaces and investment pieces. In addition, gold prices are displayed on a monitor in real time. At Mustafa mall, you’ll also find investment-grade precious metals like gold and silver bullions. It’s a great wedding or anniversary gift for your parents because Singapore has no sales tax for these items.

2. Electronic Goods Galore at Basement 2 Mustafa Centre

It’s been reported that electronics are 10-20% cheaper at Mustafa centre than they normally are. Customers from all walks of life will find what they’re looking for here. In addition to DVDs and radios, they also provide the most recent iPhone or SmartTV models. There are some great gadgets in the electronics department of Basement 2 at Mustafa!

3. Foreign Currencies / Exchange Rates – Great FX Rates with small spreads at Level 1 Mustafa Centre

Mustafa centre Foreign Exchange is one of the few currency exchanges that offer great exchange rates. RMB, HKD, IDR, INR, MYR, and PHP are said to be the best currencies to exchange there. If you’re changing a large sum of money, talk to the money changer about negotiating a better rate. Unless you’re desperate, always check and compare the posted exchange rates online before heading to the money changer. Level 1 of Mustafa houses the money changers.

4. Family Value Packs – Buy in bulk and save

Maximise your dollar on household items by buying family packs or value packs. Mustafa centre offers a wide variety of value-priced grocery and personal care products at a further discounted price.

5. Textiles / Fabrics – Creative Projects, The Skies the Limit!

If you’re looking for supplies for a craft project or do-it-yourself home improvement, Mustafa centre is a great place to start. Fabrics are sold by the metre, and the price varies according to design and quality. Besides textiles, Mustafa also offers plastic sheets by the metre for your convenience. We recommend picking up a few of these for your children’s storybooks and dining room tables because they make excellent table protectors and book covers. They vary in thickness and strength as well.

6. Chocolates / Sweet Treats at Level 2 of Mustafa Centre

Chocolates make great gifts and snacks, but prices for good chocolate can be steep. Luckily, Mustafa centre offers really affordable chocolate of many kinds. The most commonly found ones are those from Cadbury and festive goodies in a larger pack. Mustafa Centre’s chocolate section can be found on Level 2.

7. Souvenirs / Gifts on Level 2 Mustafa Centre (Take the Lift if you’re too tired)

If you just returned from a trip overseas but didn’t buy back enough souvenirs, Mustafa centre has got your back. The mall sells souvenirs from around the world, such as authentic-looking mugs, keychains and pouches from the UK. You can also pick up some unique souvenirs like Merlion durian cookies or Merlion mangosteen cookies at Mustafa centre. You’ll find this section near the chocolates on the second floor.

8. Perfumes / Colognes – Smacked Strategically at Level 1 Mustafa Centre, Let Your Nose Guide you to this Scent Paradise

Perfumes and colognes are another of Mustafa centre’s bestsellers, and their prices are unbeatable – some brands are priced at nearly half the regular retail price. Next time you’re in, stock up on your favourite scents from Hugo Boss or Marc Jacobs. On Level 1, you’ll find Mustafa’s perfume section, which is known for its well-organised selection and a wide variety of scents.

9. Toiletries – Shelving after shelving stacked to the brim with toiletries on level 1

A lifesaver for many households, Mustafa centre provides toiletries and other household necessities at highly accessible prices. The mall has a wide variety of soaps, including bars, liquids, organics, and souvenirs. Mustafa usually has ongoing promotions where the prices are lower if you buy in bulk. Make sure you stock up on toiletries when you visit the section on Level 1!

10. Shoes in all sizes, shapes, colours and forms at Basements 1 and 2 of Mustafa Centre, Starting at $15/pair! Beat that!

There are six distinct areas in Basements 1 and 2 where Mustafa centre sells shoes of all shapes, sizes, and designs. Cheaper than regular stores, their shoes are mostly exported from South Asia or other parts of Southeast Asia. Mustafa sells shoes for as little as $15 per pair, even though they are crammed from floor to ceiling. Mustafa centre is like the Walmart of Singapore when it comes to shoe selections.

Where does Mustafa Centre go from here? Going online?

Probably. Mustafa Centre’s move to the internet would provide customers with round-the-clock access to a wide range of products and services that they currently have at their store.

Email marketing and ad retargeting can help build and maintain relationships with customers who shop for bargains, but they don’t have a lot of brand loyalty. Mustafa centre is reliant on word-of-mouth advertising, curious passersby, and underutilised social media channels.

More and more brands are adopting omnichannel strategies as they realise the importance of providing a seamless customer experience. Along with allowing Singaporeans to try out the latest products in their flagships, electronics manufacturers such as Samsung, Huawei, Parisilk, and Lenovo have partnered with e-marketplaces Qoo10 and Lazada to expand their online presence.

With an omnichannel strategy, Mustafa centre, one of Southeast Asia’s most well-positioned offline retailers, stands to gain. Customers like myself look forward to a day like this one.

Conclusion and summary on Mustafa Centre: A Bargain-Hunter’s Heaven, and a Must Visit.

Mustafa centre is not fancy. The “atas-ness” of this development is nowhere like that of Marina Bay Sands, and it probably doesn’t even come close to Great World City or JEM in terms of brand recognition. Mustafa centre’s range is unmatched, however.

Although Mustafa Centre sells various brands, you’ll have to look hard for them all.

Just because prices are not too bad doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best deal. The cost of some items may be lower in other stores. To truly understand what you can and cannot buy in Mustafa centre, you must be an “industry insider” or do proper research before heading down for big-ticket items.

Every nook and cranny of the Mustafa Centre is crammed with its various departments, creating a veritable maze. Then again, it is incredible that despite all its craziness, there is ordered chaos.

If you don’t mind patiently manoeuvring through the often overwhelming crowds, visiting this large complex in Little India might be your most memorable Singapore shopping experience.

Join the fun, and shop in bulk!

Is your shopping list complete? Feeling a little peckish? Before departing for home, treat yourself to an authentic Indian supper at the rooftop Kebabs’ n Curries restaurant (follow the floor signs to find it) located in the new wing.

Alternatively, why not try something less expensive at the Mustafa centre Cafe?