Leading white-goods wholesalers such as Siemens in Germany and Indesit in Italy are demanding payment in euros or at the pre-Brexit exchange rate

European manufacturers of domestic appliances are trying to raise prices for British retailers by up to 10 per cent to compensate for the collapse in the pound in the first clear sign that Brexit will drive up prices on the high street.

Leading white-goods wholesalers such as Siemens in Germany and Indesit in Italy are demanding payment in euros, or at the pre-Brexit exchange rate, in what retail sources described as “early skirmishes” after the vote to leave the European Union.

Manufacturers of goods including fridges and washing machines typically set their prices twice a year, in May and October, but have decided they cannot wait four months before restarting negotiations because of the fall in sterling.

The pound is down almost 10 per cent