(Wine Searcher) - An amendment to Massachusetts law that would allow discounts is being resisted by independent store owners.

Certain types of discounts on wine and spirits, such as those offered directly by the retailer, are not allowed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the executive director of the almost 800-member Massachusetts Package Store Association (MPSA), says that the current laws prevent over-consumption aim to keep the current sales playing field level.

Robert Mellion adds that the state is home to approximately 3000 independent retailers who employ 140,000 people. Given that liquor retail is a $20 billion industry in Massachusetts the issue of discounting is not as simple as saving money, he adds.

Corporate megastore Total Wine & More maintains that consumers should have a right to what they want in free market. According to Total's vice president of public affairs and community relations, Edward Cooper, all products should be treated equally. If discounts can be offered on bread, the same should be the case – provided the market interest is there – with wine.